!!<(ISSUE 120)>!!

Features:

WE WANTED PUBLIC TRANSPORT - BUT WE SETTLED FOR PRESERVATION! - In February and March, all attention will be focused on the North Norfolk Railway and its very special gala to mark the 50th anniversary of the closure of the Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway system, in many ways a landmark in British railway history and a harbinger of much worse to come. Robin Jones looks at the initial aims of those who tried to save the M&GN using volunteer labour, and how they compare with what has been achieved today.

STEAMING ABROAD IN 2009: ADVERTISING FEATURE - Find out how you can still catch the last vestiges of the steam age abroad.

SPECIAL EVENTS GUIDE 2009 - Heritage Railwaya€ s unique 12-page pull-out guide to galas and special events at preserved lines and museums.

TO STEAM OR NOT TO STEAM? - The National Railway Museum has had eight locomotives in steam during 2008, five of which have seen main line service in recent years, but what does the future hold for national collection locomotives? Roger Melton talks to Helen Ashby, the museuma€ s head of knowledge and collections.

SITTINGBOURNE FINALE? - Boxing Day 2008 saw what may possibly be the last train to run on the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway. Brian Sharpe was there on a day when the atmosphere was one more of uncertainty than sadness.

3M30 HEATON - RED BANK EMPTY VANS - One of the best-known non-passenger trains of the steam era always needed two engines to cross the Pennines. Gavin Morrison recalls the variety of power to be seen on the Red Bank vans.

PRESERVATIONa€ S UNSUNG HEROES - What is the most numerous class of locomotive in preservation? John Crosse provides what should be the obvious answer, but perhaps is not always.

REGULARS:

OPINION

HEADLINE NEWS - Sittingbourne & Kemsley rebels to run trains after lease has expired; new Ã