EATURES:
THE QUEENS OF ANGLIA - The two surviving members of the BR Standard Britannia class are set to make headlines this year, with Oliver Cromwell heading a rerun of 1T57, the 'Fifteen Guinea Special.' In this first of a two-part study of Britannias past and present, David Ward tells Geoff Courtney of his memories of these Pacifics and reveals some previously unpublished insights into their operating record.

NEWS FOCUS SPECIAL: A MOUNTAIN CLIMBED - As Britain prepares for a series of events to mark the 40th anniversary of the end of standard gauge steam haulage over the national network, the completion of A1 Pacific No 60163 Tornado, the first new main line steam locomotive to be built in the country for nearly half a century, is set to steal the headlines. Robin Jones asks if this new pinnacle of the preservation movement will usher in a brave era for the enthusiast sector, or is this as good as it will ever get?

THRELKELD: ONE OF STEAMa€ S BEST-KEPT SECRETS - David Wilcock a€~discoversa€ the seemingly impossible; a new railway, in one of Britaina€ s most-popular national parks.

DAVID WILCOCKa€ S THE THIN RED LINE - Renowned steam journalist David Wilcock has joined the Heritage Railway team, and here is the second of his regular pacesetting columns, dealing in-depth with the key issues at the beating heart of the preservation sector.

PEAK FINALE - By 1968, steam operation was concentrated largely in Lancashire, but one small pocket of steam operation reained in a corner of the Peak District. Brian Sharpe continues the countdown to August 1968, with photography by John Whiteley who was there to record the last few weeks of steam in Derbyshire.

BLAENAVON AWAKES...A World Heritage Site location on a 1-in-30 gradient with a Great Western-liveried engine in a south Wales valley in January 2008, heralded in the new year for some hardy photographers, at a new steam location for many. Geoff Silcock was there, and confides a prophecy...

SOUTHERN STEAM BEFORE PRESERVATION - Southern steam should not be forgotten, with the passing of its 40th anniversary year. Tony Butcher presents a selection of views of special workings to mark the passing of steam in various parts of the south of England.


REGULARS:

OPINION

HEADLINE NEWS - Royal Scot may be run in on Mid-Norfolk Railway; Erlestroke Manor to head Severn Valley Railway relaunch services and Transport Trust unveils scheme to reassemble 'Brighton Belle' a€ and six days a week steam for Scarborough.

NEWS: THE WIDEST COVERAGE OF UK PRESERVATION - Date set for Tornado to move under own steam; Lavender Line secretary in missing wife quiz; Hunslet may build new engine and coaches for Sailbeach revival; July debut for new Catch Me Who Can at Bridgnorth; March launch for national miniature railway museum project; GWR prairie back on timetabled services a€" in Poland; Great Central winter gala report; Pontypool & Blaenavon extension Ã