Editor’s Intro – Rail Express

The changing face of freight

18th January 2019 swilkinson Editor's Intro

PRIVATISATION of British Rail in the mid-1990s saw the bulk of its freight businesses acquired by what became EWS, somewhat nullifying the intention of creating competition between different companies, apart from in a few relatively

Much to savour

28th December 2018 swilkinson Editor's Intro

THIS is the final issue produced in 2018, and what a year it has been for diesel and electric enthusiasts. Standout highlights for me include our Class 50 tour to Carlisle and the Cumbrian Coast

Edwardian splendour

14th November 2018 swilkinson Editor's Intro

IT’S not often I get to use the word ‘Edwardian’ in this magazine about modern traction, but I was privileged recently to see firsthand the amazing work done returning NER Autocar No. 3170 back into

Back to the future

17th August 2018 swilkinson Editor's Intro

FIFTY years ago saw the end of steam on British Railways, with the running of the famous 1T57 ‘Fifteen Guinea Special’ on August 11, 1968. Our small tribute to that day is on page 7,

Don’t provide the ammo

15th June 2018 swilkinson Editor's Intro

OUR railways are often used as an easy stick with which to beat the Government or those in charge. National media regularly make headlines with claims of rail services being ‘too full’ or ‘too expensive’

Prepare for change!

28th March 2018 Nigel Devereux Editor's Intro

WHAT a year 2018 is already shaping up to be. I’m not talking about the ‘Beast from the East’, although the railway companies and all their staff have to be commended for the way they

Finding the sweet spot

16th February 2018 swilkinson Editor's Intro

EVEN the most die-hard supporter of a fully nationalised railway must secretly realise there’s very little prospect now of us ever going back to a British Rail-style era. More than 20 years on from privatisation,

‘Goyles’ on film

20th November 2017 swilkinson Editor's Intro

WHEN I think about Class 31s, one of the strongest memories for me is of the second batch of ETH conversions in the early 1980s. These allowed a mini-renaissance in loco-hauled workings around where I

First, last and full circle

26th October 2017 swilkinson Editor's Intro

THE next time anyone says there’s no variety any more, or that our hobby has become somehow less interesting, they need to be reminded of months like this, which has seen a diesel loco break

editor’s comment

22nd September 2017 swilkinson Editor's Intro

WHAT a treat is was to attend the Old Oak Common open day at the beginning of September, and everyone involved who helped organise and steward the day has to be thoroughly congratulated. The only