The post-pandemic passenger railway
Richard Clinnick takes an operatorby-operator look at how the UK train fleets have changed over the past two years and looks forward to what’s still to come.

The 47s: A Class Act!
2022 marks the 60th anniversary of the first Class 47 taking to the British Railways network. We take a look at those members of the Class 47 fleet that survive in preservation.

Model Spot
Simon Bendall reviews the two OO gauge models that have been produced by Bachmann to remember the Freightconnection Class 90s.

Chasing the HSTs
After a long and illustrious working life, time is now running out for the remaining Class 43 and Mk.3 High Speed Train fleet. Photographer and HST enthusiast Chris Hopkins presents the first part of a guide to some of the best lineside locations for photographing these iconic trains before they disappear, this issue focusing on the route between Penzance to Plymouth.

A Scottish sensation
Our latest Preservation Profile sees Andy Coward travel to Scotland to meet dedicated volunteers at the Caledonian Railway, take a look at the impressive facilities being built, and find out more about plans for the growing number of diesel locomotives.

Cab-in fever!
Railway preservation takes in many different aspects of the hobby, and South Wales businessman Richard Benyon has turned his love of restoring locomotive cabs into an extensive collection. Andy Coward travels to Bridgend to meet him and view some of his cabs.

Summer days, drifting away
In the third feature focusing on how Network Rail deals with the extremities of the UK climate, North and East Route operations director Chris Gee looks at the work done to prepare for the unpredictable summer months and the many scenarios Network Rail faces.

Model Spot
Canadian manufacturer Rapido Trains is expanding its OO gauge UK range with a series of new locomotive and rolling stock models. While many of these have been predominately steam-era subjects, the recent model of the long-lived BR ferry vans is a welcome foray into the diesel years. Simon Bendall takes a closer look at these models.

The Colourful Class 67s
The 30-strong Class 67s fleet has carried a number of different liveries throughout its 24-year history. We examine this particularly colourful class of locomotive in words and pictures.

Rails to the Ribble
Martyn Hilbert presents the latest in his series of line profiles, taking a look at the fascinating and varied history of the Preston Docks Railway, which remains in use today for freight traffic, as well as being the home of the Ribble Steam Railway..

Baby, it’s cold outside
Network Rail’s North & East Route operations director, Chris Gee, details the work done to prepare the railway for challenging winter conditions and some of the considerations made when extreme weather can disrupt the network.

In pursuit of snow
In keeping with this issue’s wintry theme, renowned railway photographer Tom McAtee presents some favourite images he has taken during the winter months – when conditions for lineside photograph can be rather difficult, but when the results can be equally stunning.

Loram UK
Derby-based Loram UK really is a onestop railway shop, with the company having an excellent reputation for the maintenance of locomotives and wagons for Network Rail and a host of other operators. Additionally, Loram is now an operator in its own right. Andy Coward visits Derby to find out more.

Model Spot
Our railway modelling expert Simon Bendall casts his critical eye over the Class 92 models produced by Accurascale. Originally designed for operation through the Channel Tunnel, the Class 92s are now used on freight services and on Caledonian Sleeper services between London and Scotland.

RHTT operations
Network Rail North and East Route operations director Chris Gee brings us a selection of his images of Class 37s working on the York Railhead Treatment Trains circuits, as well as explaining about how the trains are organised and operated each autumn, in what is a mammoth undertaking for Network Rail during the autumn leaf fall season.

Island Line
Regular Railways Illustrated contributor Martyn Hilbert has spent many years visiting the Isle of Wight. In the latest of his Line Profiles, Martyn takes a detailed look at the history and operations of Island Line, which underwent a major upgrading project during 2021.

The Caledonian Sleeper
In the second part of our series on the sleeper train services operating in the UK, we sample the Caledonian Sleeper ‘Highlander’ from Inverness to London Euston. How does it measure up against the GWR offering? And does the more modern coaching stock provide better accommodation than the older Mk.3 coaches they replaced?

Six stories – part one
It has been another busy year for our railways, with lots of things happening both on the national network and in the preservation sector. In this issue, we look at six significant stories that made headlines from January to June.

KWVR Railcar Group
The five-mile Keighley & Worth Valley Railway has an enviable fleet of steam and diesel locomotives in its motive power department. However, the heritage line also has a varied heritage DMU fleet, and we meet the KWVR Railcar Group to find out more..

To Cornwall for breakfast
Great Western Railway’s Night Riviera is one of two remaining overnight sleeper trains to operate in the UK, travelling six nights a week in each direction between London Paddington and Penzance. Andy Coward packed his pyjamas and sampled the train to see what it is like and if it represents good value for money.

All change at Okehampton
The Dartmoor Railway Association has experienced many changes over the past 25 years. It is now essentially a support organisation in the revival of the Dartmoor Railway by Network Rail and Great Western Railway. Andy Coward speaks to Tom Baxter from the DRA about its history and future plans.

The Heavy Mob!
We meet the small group with a 'heavyweight' reputation.

The Robin Hood Line 
The route between Nottingham and Worksop spent many years operating as a freight-only route, before being reopened as a passenger route in stages during the 1990s. In our latest route profile, we take a look at this popular Nottinghamshire line and the services operating over it.

End of an electric era
A number of British Rail-built second generation electric multiple units are facing extinction as the modernisation of our railway network continues. Richard Clinnick takes a look at the EMU fleets that have disappeared recently, as well as those facing elimination over the next few months.

Happy anniversary, D1500!
The Class 47 is, arguably, the most successful design of British Rail modern traction locomotive fleet. September marks the 60th anniversary of the emergence of the pioneer locomotive D1500 from Falcon Works in Loughborough. Richard Clinnick examines the BR working life and preservation career of this historic locomotive.

Buckley Wells Redevelopment
The East Lancashire Railway is custodian of one of the oldest surviving Locomotive Works in the UK, but the 1856-vintage Baron Street Locomotive Works is crumbling and in need of extensive renovation and restoration works. Andy Coward returns to his home town to find out more about the restoration and the ELR’s plans for a major development of its Buckley Wells site.

The West Lancashire Line
Martyn Hilbert returns with another of his route profiles, this time focusing on the West Lancashire Railway, the former main line route between Preston and Ormskirk that could in the future see its status upgraded once again. As ever, Martyn’s feature is illustrated with a great selection of his photography taken on the line.

Peak Rail: All change
In our latest preservation profile feature, Andy Coward meets Mark Sealey, the recently-appointed general manager of Peak Rail in Derbyshire, to find out how he intends to improve.

Model Spot
Simon Bendall examines the new Accurascale Class 55 Deltics. This is the first powered model produced by the company, so we find out how they measure up to Simon’s expert eye.

Summit Special
The Peak Locomotive Company owns and operates four Sulzer Type 4 ‘Peak’ diesel locomotives, in the shape of Class 44 D4 Great Gable, 45041 Royal Tank Regiment, 45108 and Class 46 D182. For our preservation profile this month, Andy Coward speaks to PLC chairman Mike Kerry about this leading modern traction preservation group.

10 Pictures: Paul Berry
Sticking in the North West of England, Paul Berry spends most of his time at the lineside in Lancashire and Cumbria, with the iconic Settle and Carlisle line one of his favourite routes. In this issue, Paul brings us another great selection of images in our popular 10 Pictures feature.

Western Wonder
The Western Locomotive Association owns two of the legendary Class 52 diesel hydraulic ‘Western’ locomotives – in the shape of D1013 Western Ranger and D1062 Western Courier. Our preservation profile this month highlights the work of the WLA.

10 Pictures: Robert Falconer
A well-known name in photography circles, Robert Falconer presents the 10 favourite pictures he has taken. Robert’s selection contains a stunning mixture of steam and modern traction images for our popular monthly feature.

The Great Alliance
How the Class 50 Alliance has grown to become a preservation leader.

Still going strong
In the second feature to celebrate the forthcoming 60th anniversary of the first Class 47 entering service with BR, we take a look at the surviving locomotives that continue to ply their trade on the national network.

The Time-Saver
Andy Coward visits the Severn Valley Railway and speaks to Gus Dunster about how the Kidderminster diesel depot has transformed the way the railway’s fleet of heritage modern traction locomotives are maintained and restored.

Model Spot
Simon Bendall reviews the O gauge models from Dapol depicting the Railfreight VEA Vans, which were mainly used for transporting munitions.

National Railway Heritage Awards 2021
Robin Leleux presents a review of the winning entries from the National Railway Heritage Awards, which were celebrated at a ceremony in London in early December.

Model Spot
Simon Bendall casts his expert eye over the latest Hornby Class 60 models, depicting them in both GB Railfreight and Cappagh liveries.

Model Spot
Simon Bendall takes a look at the brand new model of an Córas Iompair Éireann Metropolitan-Vickers A/001 A Class locomotive being produced by Irish Railway Models and Accurascale.

The fondest farewell
On February 27, 1982, thousands of railway enthusiasts descended on Doncaster Works to pay tribute to all of the surviving Class 55 Deltics, brought together for one final time. Of the 15 locomotives on display that day, only six would survive, with the rest destined for scrap.

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Railways Illustrated Magazine - The best coverage of today's railway scene. Each issue of Railways Illustrated offers a comprehensive round-up of the latest news and topical events from the UK across the present day railway, including heritage traction in operation on the main lines.
Supported by high quality photography and editorial from experienced railway enthusiasts, Railways Illustrated reflects the energy and vitality of the present day railway scene.
Devoted to coverage of railway companies, train operators, infrastructure functions, main line steam operations and principal modern traction heritage sites, Railways Illustrated also presents a regular photographic overseas feature, some semi-technical articles, and a popular practical series on digital photography.

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Railways Illustrated - April 2022

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