Editor’s Intro – Rail Express

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

If at first you don’t succeed…

7th August 2017 Nigel Devereux Editor's Intro

THE efforts of the Swanage Railway are a perfect illustration of the proverb in which we are urged to try, try, try again. Almost as soon as British Rail closed the branch from Wareham to

Welcome

16th June 2017 kclements Editor's Intro

WELL Brussels, at least. Eurostar has introduced its Class 374 ‘Velaro’ sets to its London-Brussels route, 18 months after they started on the Paris run. These Siemens-built sets can carry 20% more passengers than the

Never say you’ve seen it all!

19th May 2017 Nigel Devereux Editor's Intro

RAIL enthusiasts are blessed to have a hobby where nothing ever stands still. Yes, there is a healthy streak of nostalgia involved, looking back to the ‘golden years’ (of which everyone has a different opinion).