Feature Articles
Stanier still reigns supreme!
2 September 2010
It’s 30 years since a Duchess finally returned to the main line after a long absence, but Sir William Stanier’s masterpieces continue to dominate the summer steam season in the north, as Brian Sharpe reports.
Steaming back to the future
5 August 2010.
Is ‘new-build’ the way forward for steam preservation? Tornado has filled a big gap in preservation, and in doing so, perhaps proved that all the other gaps could be filled. Kris Kapolka suggests some controversial new-build projects to perhaps fill some of those gaps.
Joem the little engine with a heart of gold
8 July 2010.
There must be few small tank engines as more popular as North Eastern Railway designed Class J72 No 69023 known affectionally as ‘Joem’. Due to participate in the LNER gala on the Great Central Railway in the autumn, the history of this engine, that has helped so many preserved railways, is told by Maurice Burns who many years ago negotiated its purchase by the North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group.
Thornaby – Britain's last built steam shed. Gone but not forgotten.
10 June 2010.
As Thornaby motive power depot closed its doors for the last time after just 50 years of service, Maurice Burns, who by a twist of fate saw the locomotive shed when brand new prior to opening and also witnessed its winding down, recalls his memories of the steam engines that have played a part in the history in Britain’s last built steam shed.
Tank Gang
13 May 2010.
The tanks in question are those of Robert Riddles, designer of locomotives for the nationalised British Railways. Even more specifically, this article is about the 3MT 2-6-2Ts he designed, numbered 82000 to 82044. Designed and built at Swindon Works, these locomotives began to enter traffic from 1952, with the last one No 82044 entering service in 1955. Dave Wilson worked on them, while Chris Proudfoot is involved in building a new one.
Weardale's wheel turns full circle
13 May 2010.
The North Eastern Railway branch line built to tap the rich mineral sources of County Durham’s Wear Valley will see the return of regular daily passenger services on 23 May, financed by heavy freight traffic including coal. Robin Jones looks at the latest boost to the fortunes of the Weardale Railway in a unique Anglo-American community rail partnership, with heritage steam the icing on the cake.
The Great Western Society’s First locomotive
15 April 2010.
The purchase of 0-4-2T No 1466 certainly started something, as it proved to be the catalyst for the formation of the Great Western Society. Peter Chatman tells the story.
Manuel on a Mission
18 March 2010.
The Scottish Railway Preservation Society outgrew its ‘museum’ at Falkirk. Dave Wilson recounts its rebirth as the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway, extending its running line to Manuel Junction this month.
44767 – the inside story
18 February 2010.
The return to working order of the unique LMS ‘Black Five’ No 44767 George Stephenson and its appearance at the Great Central Railway gala is a timely occasion to highlight the intriguing story of why this locomotive was constructed with outside Stephenson link motion in 1947 and how it was so lucky to be preserved. Maurice Burns, who was deeply involved with the locomotive's first restoration and naming, recalls its fascinating history that has never been told before.
Crossing the line
22 December 2009.
Level crossings are an accepted part of life in Britain, but for anyone involved in operating Britain’s heritage railways, they can be an ongoing problem.
Peter Brown takes a detailed look at some of these problems.
Current Issue: 2 Sept 2010
• Sutherland BR maroon option
• Granite traffic 'may fund GCR bridge'
• Lord Nelson 'off main line until 2018'
• Royal Deeside first steam
• T9 hauls first trains
• LYD in L&B 'comeback'
• Idridgehay first steam
• WIN a two-night Settle & Carlisle break
PLUS:
• Next issue on sale: 30 September 2010