Features

Just five weeks after steam haulage ended on Britain’s national network, classic locomotive types from the country’s illustrious railway past began to entertain eager crowds again. However, this time it was on a much smaller scale and courtesy of the world’s most famous railway publisher, who set up his own miniature line, the Great Cockcrow…

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While steam was fast disappearing from its last foothold on the main line in the north west of England in early summer 1968, at the same time it was returning with a vengeance to one of the region’s branch lines. The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway held a stunning eight-day gala from June 24 to…

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By Don Benn The theme this time is heavy loads at home and in Europe, though I start with a series of climbs from Taunton to Whiteball. I have been following the exploits of LMS ‘Black Five’ 4-6-0 No. 45212 which has been producing some fine running with 10 coaches unassisted on a number of…

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There are few more seminal dates etched into the consciousness of UK railway enthusiasts and historians than Sunday, August 11, 1968, when the legendary ‘Fifteen Guinea Special’ – immortalised by the headcode 1T57 – marked the end of British Rail steam haulage on the national network. In the first of two special 50th anniversary features…

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The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway celebrated the 125th birthday of two of its popular steam locomotive fleet in style with a special three-day gala event, which brought together a large gathering of Hunslets, engaging them on a host of duties in what is a narrow gauge paradise. Gareth Evans reports. A quarter of a…

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