Features

The history of steam traction on New Zealand’s main line railways extends from the earliest days of railways in those islands in the late 1860s right up to final completion of the change to diesel haulage in 1971, but within that period the most numerous class of locomotive and also one of the most widely-used,…

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The death of Geoff Bird, York shedmaster between 1965 and 1980, was announced just before Christmas. Phil Marsh was fortunate enough to meet Geoff several times to record a fascinating railway career that spanned five decades. REMEMBERING GEOFF BIRD: AN LNER PREMIUM APPRENTICE Geoff Bird in wistful mood in the cab of LNER V2 2-6-2…

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Few heritage lines have quite the history of this narrow gauge line in Poland. Andrew Rapacz reports on a successful tourist operation on a railway which has served a number of different European countries since it was built. THE BIESZCZADY FOREST RAILWAY Kp4 0-8-0 No. 3772 is seen working light engine just outside Majdan station…

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The unveiling of Sir Nigel Gresley’s statue at King’s Cross on the 75th anniversary of his passing on April 5 tempted East Coast Main Line devotee Geoff Silcock to delve into his past of 54 years ago, when he recorded and noted almost the last swansong of the native Gresley N2 0-6-2Ts in his North…

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Sir Nigel Gresley’s untimely death in 1941 after 30 years as CME of the GNR and LNER, left the LNER with problems in finding a replacement and there were two CMEs during the last seven years of the company’s existence, who took locomotive design in often very different directions. Brian Sharpe contrasts the careers of…

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Brian Sharpe reports on the Llangollen Railway gala BR black on the Cambrian BR unlined black Manors Nos. 7820 Dinmore Manor and 7822 Foxcote Manor pass Llangollen Goods Junction on April 10. NEVILLE WELLINGS Cambrian-themed galas are nothing new on the Llangollen Railway but this year’s spring event had an added dimension with most locomotives…

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Mark Smithers reports on the launch at Scarborough’s North Bay Railway of its first steam locomotive. Georgina debuts at Scarborough New-build Sipat replica Georgina is seen here at Peasholm Park immediately before the naming ceremony. Note the champagne bottle in readiness for the proceedings. Billed in its 2010 souvenir brochure as ‘Britain’s biggest miniature railway’,…

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One of West Coast Railways’ most respected drivers has retired. Don Benn met him and discussed Ray’s long career on the footplate. RAY CHURCHILL: 21ST CENTURY MAIN LIME STEAM DRIVER The last ‘GB’ tour for Ray Churchill, seen with fireman Chris Birmingham at Bristol Temple Meads on April 27. DON BENN When Ray Churchill stepped…

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A ‘Black Five’ was expected to reach Penzance and Thurso within a week but it did not quite happen and was certainly not the original plan. Brian Sharpe reports on an annual event which sadly, we may never see the likes of again. GREAT BRITAIN: THE NINTH AND LAST? LMS 4-6-0 No. 46100 Royal Scot…

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Could the record-breaking success of the Fairbourne Railway’s Centenary of Steam Spring Bank Holiday gala weekend, which saw four of the line’s original 15in gauge engines return to the now-12¼in gauge outfit, pave the way for a new dual-gauge incarnation? asks Michael Whitehouse. A Century of Beach Life Murray Dodds, general manager of the Fairbourne…

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