Storms Close ‘Last' Section Of S&D In Regular Use

NEARLY 150 years after the line was opened, the last surviving part of the original Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway main line – and the legendary system’s westernmost extremity – has been taken out of public use.

Driving A Deltic!

Chris Newton recalls his recent driver experience course at the Nene Valley Railway on Deltic diesel locomotive No. 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier, which he enjoyed with his brother after seeing it advertised in Heritage Railway.

Norfolk Loco-Hauled Finale

A POPULAR class of diesel locomotive first introduced in 1960 has finally ceased regular timetabled passenger services on Norfolk’s GreatYarmouth and Lowestoft branches.

Britain's ‘First' Public Railway Rises From The Ashes

A HISTORICALLY important scheme to restore part of what is claimed to be Britain’s first public railway is set to have its first track laid this year.

Homefleet variety

THE Mid-Hants Railway’s (MHR) October 18-20 autumn gala provided a varied line-up from the line’s resident fleet of locomotives – and also acted as something of a farewell event for a popular performer.

Building On A Successful Year

Gareth Evans talks to A1 Steam Locomotive Trust trustee Mark Allatt about the latest developments at the operator of popular A1 No. 60163 Tornado, its current new-build £5 million P2 2-8-2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales and the next project – the LNER V4.

At Last –Corwen Back On Line After 51 Years!

A MAJOR milestone was passed on October 17, when the Llangollen Railway’s running line into its new Corwen station was physically connected.

1501: The Final Bow... For Now

New Year’s Eve 2006 brought down the curtain on the activities of WR 0-6-0PT No 1501 at the Severn Valley Railway. J Crosse pays tribute to a one-time colliery shunter’s nine-year stint on serious passenger duties.

Pitchford Hall Produces Rich Pickings

Britain’s most expensive Great Western Hall stole the show at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway’s hugely successful winter steam gala, while a long-time admirer of the 4-6-0s had the good fortune to make the occasion a real family affair, writes Fred Kerr.

‘Instant' Extension Launches Churnet Valley Push To Leek

AFTER years of planning and negotiations, the first 659ft of the Churnet Valley Railway’s (CVR) eagerly awaited £1 million extension into Leek has carried its first passengers.

The Spirit Of ST Trinian's

Gareth Evans talks to well-known professional photographer Jack Boskett about how he attempted to capture the feel of the original 1966 Great St Trinian’s Train Robbery film in 2019 through a series of black andwhite photographs. All photographs by Jack Boskett.

Severn Valley Gala Success Despite Fires And Failures

Superb weather, azure skies and the first hints of seasonal colour changes, combinedwith crowd-pleasing visiting locomotives, ensured that the Severn Valley Railway’s September 19-22 steam gala was the perfect curtain-raiser for the autumn special events season, writes Paul Appleton.

Was This The Best Moors Autumn Gala Ever?

The long-awaited return of BR Standard 9F No. 92134 after 53 years out of steam, plus stunning displays by visiting and home fleet locomotives set in spectacular upland landscapes turning to autumn gold, made the North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s showpiece September 26-29 event one of the finest of its kind ever held on the heritage line. And with ticket sales a third up, it proved a credit to the British tourist sector, writes Roger Melton.

Steam's Polish Indian Summer

A Wolsztyn Experience – 1000 miles of main line steam in four days. Poland continues to make it happen but for how long? Rodney Towers gives an update in words and pictures on this acclaimed British-led venture which is keeping alive the last ‘real’ steam operation in Europe.

Southern Cream Makes Great Central Dream Gala!

VISITING Southern Railway 4-4-0 duo Schools V4-4-0 No.926 Repton and LSWRT9 No.30120 proved to be the crowd-pulling stars of the show at the Great Central Railway’s (GCR) October3-6 autumn steam gala.

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.

Life on Mars

National Coal Board steam lingered on in the North East into the 1970s. Chris Gee reminisces about a trip to the remains of the Bowes Railway in 1971, illustrated bymore recent photographs showing how the preserved section of line has changed little in the intervening years.

End of ‘Black Five' Dream for Duke of Gloucester Engineer

A Nambitious project to recreate one of a pair of LMS‘Black Five’4-6-0s that were the forerunners of No. 71000 Duke of Gloucester has been called off, so ending the dream of Peter Kenyon, a former engineer on the restoration of the unique Standard Pacific.

Broadway share offer hits £1m

THE Gloucestershire Warwick shire Railway’s share is sueto finance its northern extension to Broadway may have passed the£1 million mark by the time this issue hits the newsstands.

It's a Guard's Life

Been thinking about whether to volunteer at your local preserved railway? Paul Appleton encourages you to take that step forward... something he did at the Severn Valley Railway just three years ago.

Why Steam needs a 90 mph Limit

There has been considerable debate recently about raising the speed limit for main line steam to 90mph and Tornado is about to undertake some experimental runs. John Forman argues that it is time for a more realistic assessment of high speed steam performance on the main line.