The Railway Magazine

The Railway Magazine has been published since 1897 and is now the UK's best-selling general interest rail title. Every month, The RM provides enthusiasts and professionals with authoritative and informed news coverage of the following: - Network Rail and the train operating companies - Locomotives, multiple units, carriages and wagons - Steam, heritage and the preservation world, inc narrow gauge- Metro and underground systems - In addition, the magazine carries frequent items of overseas interest.

The Railway Magazine is also renowned for its wide-ranging and innovative feature coverage, encompassing up-to-the-minute developments as well as historical, nostalgic and foreign subjects. The magazine is also renowned for its award-winning photographic content.

The Railway Magazine

Firsts among equals

The RAILWAY Magazine

Royal Assent allows DfT to take over train operating companies • Government-owned operator will gradually take over all former franchised passenger rail contracts.

DEPARTURES REPLACE ADVERTS AT EUSTON

Northumberland Line opens to passengers • Passenger services to Ashington and Seaton Delaval have been restored after 60 years, with four further stations to follow this year.

HOUSE HAS OWN RAILWAY

Shortlist for biggest-ever HRA Awards

Tyne & Wear ‘555s’ enter service • Nexus hails‘historic moment’as two-year Metro fleet introduction begins, 12 months later than planned.

Brecon Mountain Railway suffers Storm Bert landslip

FirstGroup orders new trains for expanded open access services • £500m deal covers construction and maintenance of 14 five-car Hitachi‘Class 800 series’sets to be leased from Angel Trains, with an option for 13 more.

Last chance to enter Young Photographer competition

Blackpool’s heritage trams suspended indefinitely

Railways in Parliament

Steel spans for River Cole viaducts lifted into place • Self-propelled modular transporters and crawler crane used as part of the operation at HS2’s Delta Junction.

Pair of Euston tunnelling machines prepared for action

SIDELINES

Firsts among equals • As the year of celebrations begins to mark 200 years since the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1825, Dr Joseph Brennan details the pre-S&DR railway ‘firsts’.

Still ‘Sprinting’ • The first Class 150 ‘Sprinters’ recently notched up an incredible 40 years of service. David Russell looks back at the lives of these versatile units, which have seen widespread use in many parts of the country.

Brighton Line steam • 1930s expansion of third-rail electrification to South Coast destinations did not spell the complete end of steam workings, which were to continue for a further three decades, as John Heaton FCILT discovers.

My mentor • John Hillier previews his new book about Eric Oldham, the master photographer, artist and baker!

MEETINGS

Readers’ Platform • Send your letters to: The Railway Magazine, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR. Email: railway@mortons.co.uk

From the archive

The RCTS: then and now

PANORAMA • A showcase for the best in railway photography

92 Squadron moves from Nene Valley to East Lancs • New home for‘Spam Can’alongside classmate No. 34092.

Cosmetic restoration for 1877 Sharpthorn • Important Bluebell industrial locomotive to be readied for museum display.

Kent trip marks mainline farewell to ‘Royal Scot’ • Former Butlins loco awaits its place in LSL’s overhaul schedule.

Overhaul of 1874-built Bellerophon progresses • The boiler, tubes, cladding, tyres and a full repaint are all being looked at.

Six-month ‘Catfish’ restoration programme completed at GCR • With work...