Features

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…

Continue reading »

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…

Continue reading »

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…

Continue reading »

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…

Continue reading »

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’,…

Continue reading »

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…

Continue reading »

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…

Continue reading »

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…

Continue reading »

Big American steam power in action is an increasingly rare spectacle on the main line in the 21st century. Dave Rodgers reports on the recent successful revival of one of the biggest US locomotives. Thunder on Blue Ridge With the famous Blue Ridge mountains as a backdrop, No. 611 is seen at full power blasting…

Continue reading »

The Fowler 4F 0-6-0 was a very basic but useful design of steam engine. J Crosse recounts the history of a surprisingly long-lived class. 50 YEARS ON: THE FOWLER 4F More than 40 years in preservation appears not to have done No. 43924 any harm as it brews up for some shunting work at Oakworth…

Continue reading »