FEATURES:

YES, PRESERVATION DOES HAVE A BIG FUTURE, IF -
Despite fears that the railway heritage movement will grind to a halt when the volunteers who remember the days of BR steam become too old, or when funding runs out, it presents enormous opportunities for the 21st century future - provided that it responds to both the public demand and the nuances of the economic climate, argues Mark Allatt, chairman of Tornado builder the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust.

ANOTHER WINNER FOR WEST SOMERSET! - The summer weather on the Bristol Channel coast may have been a big disappointment, but the West Somerset Railwaya€ s splendid autumn steam gala more than made up for it, as the four-day event brought the crowds spilling into Minehead to see another fantastic locomotive line-up in action, writes Don Bishop.

WHITEHEAD: STILL A RAILWAY TOWN - Hugh Dougherty visits Whitehead, the award-winning home of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland, to view first hand the latest efforts being undertaken to conserve rail heritage in the Emerald Isle.

THE GREAT MARQUESS IN MOORS COMEBACK! - The North Yorkshire Moors Railwaya€ s 28-30 September autumn steam gala proved a resounding success, with two-train operation on the adjacent Esk Valley line, a more than liberal sprinkling of LNER engines to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the demise of main line steam haulage in the north east, and star turns by K4 The Great Marquess on no less than a rake of teak-bodied stock, as Brian Sharpe reports.

SIR LAMIEL WOWS THE LOUGHBOROUGH CROWDS - Superb sunshine and the return to traffic of Maunsell N15 Sir Lamiel after a year in the Loughborough workshops combined to make the Great Central Railwaya€ s annual autumn steam gala a resounding success. Pictures by Brian Sharpe and words by Robin Jones.

STREAK SURVIVORSa€ SCOTTISH SUNSET - The last weeks of 2007 should see two legendary A4 streamlined Pacifics, No 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley and No 60019 Bittern, once again take their place on the main line alongside No 60009 Union of South Africa. July 2008, the 70th anniversary of Mallard's epic 126mph run, will see the three active preserved 'streaks' sharing the honours of hauling a King's Cross to Edinburgh special. John Whiteley presents a selection of views of the three A4s during their later days in Scotland.

HYDRAULIC REVOLUTION - This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first movements of a Type 4 diesel-hydraulic on British Railways when the first Warships arrived. J Crosse recalls this momentous event in railway history.

COLONEL STEPHENS: FATHER OF PRESERVATION? -
Geoff Courtney takes a look at the man who built up a light railway empire and has so often been described as a forerunner of the preservation movement.

SNOW HILL SHUTTLES LIFT VALLEY SPIRITS! - Down - but far from out! That was the verdict on the Severn Valley Railwaya€ s autumn steam gala. Much help from Network Rail and the generosity of locomotive owners saw the big annual fund-raising event claw back from the brink of oblivion with a series of steam shuttles between Bewdley and Birmingham Snow Hill, writes Robin Jones.

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