ISSUE 233

by

News

Headline News
After decades of deliberation, the bridge over the main line at Loughborough to link the Two Great Central railways is installed within two hours; Lottery gives Tyseley £90k to boost engineering; National Railway Museum buys hero driver’s George Cross for £60k and new Lyn all set for Lynton & Barnstaple debut.

News
Flying Scotsman sends West Somerset figures soaring; restored Standard 5MT running in at Loughborough; new Great Central interim general manager; UK-built Garratt offered for sale in Australia; North Norfolk gala action; ‘oldest’ railway holds first-ever open day; London Underground summer steam sell-out; East Lancashire announces £600k upgrade for Rawtenstall station; two Battle of Britain Pacifics join Swanage roster; why Welshpool & Llanfair laid on eight miles of fireworks; six brake failures on Snaefell Mountain Railway and Broadway share issue exceeded by £800k.

Main Line News
April date set for A1 Pacific Tornado’s first passenger-carrying East Coast Main Line 90mph run; potential for more steam to Stratford-upon-Avon; Oliver Cromwell returns and the Railway Touring Company runs
to Hindlow.

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With Full Regulator
Don Benn reports on the performances of Clan Line
on the ‘Torbay Express’.

Regulars

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Centre
Tornado from the air in Norfolk by Mike Page.

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Main Line Itinerary
Steam and heritage diesel railtours.

Railwayana
Geoff Courtney’s regular column.

Platform
Where your views matter most.

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Up & Running
Guide to railways running in the autumn.

The Month Ahead

Features

North Eastern Steam Farewell
The final 18 months leading to the end of BR steam operation in the North East saw many last steam workings. Maurice Burns recalls his memories of that time and the efforts of many other enthusiasts to clean up some of the worn out old engines to see steam go out in style.

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Still growling on: Modern traction preservation
There is no doubt that diesels are an integral part of railway preservation but this was not always the case. Brian Sharpe delves into the increasingly complex world of British main line diesel preservation.

Didcot’s LNER double act!
Flying Scotsman’s first appearance at Didcot Railway Centre since 2005 and a guest appearance by another Gresley masterpiece, A4 No. 60009 Union of South Africa, brought in 6000 visitors over the August bank holiday weekend, writes Robin Jones.

The last day of North Blyth steam
Fifty years ago, steam was in retreat and North East England witnessed the end of the steam era on Saturday September 9, 1967. One of the sheds closed to steam on that day was North Blyth. Trevor Gregg describes the history of the depot and recalls the very last steam working.

Old Oak Common: The superb grand finale
A legendary name amongst railway historians and enthusiasts, Old Oak Common shed signed off with its last-ever open day on September 2, when locomotives and traction units past, present and future came together to pay tribute to 111 proud years of history, in a showpiece event organised by the modern-day Great Western Railway, writes Robin Jones.

Contents: LNER A1 Pacific No. 60163 Tornado departs from Great Yarmouth with UK Railtours’ ‘Easterling’ returning to King’s Cross on August 28. ALAN WEAVER

Cover: BR Standard Britannia Pacific No. 70013 Oliver Cromwell heads Steam Dreams’ ‘Cathedrals Express’ from London Victoria to Yeovil Junction past Potbridge on September 5. JACK HAYNES

Issue 234 of HR will be on sale October 20


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