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’
Read moreDon’t provide the ammo
Category: Editor’s Intro
Prepare for change!
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
Read moreFinding the sweet spot
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,
Read more‘Goyles’ on film
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
Read moreFirst, last and full circle
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
Read moreeditor’s comment
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
Read moreIf at first you don’t succeed…
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
Read moreWelcome
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
Read moreNever say you’ve seen it all!
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).
Read moreSeeing red
THE news that First-MTR has won the next South West Trains franchise raised more than a few eyebrows in the industry. Not only has First Group thus ousted its great rival Stagecoach from a franchise
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