Features:

Southern sprints towards finish line - As Southern prepares to hand over to TSGN, we interview MD Chris Burchell
Southern builds capacity - New trains being procured by Southern underpin the Thameslink programme
Uckfield - Lewes - Campaigners hope to see the line reopen in 2022
Built environment glories - Magnificent restored railway buildings

CROSSRAIL UPDATE: A MODERN RAILWAYS SPECIAL FEATURE:

Half time for Crossrail - Interview with CEO Andrew Wolstenholme
Tunnels take shape - Burrowing under the heart of London
Dramatic structures take shape - An in-depth look at the Crossrail line's stations
Network Rail prepares for Crossrail - Scale of on-network activity is significant

Regulars:

Welcome - Richard Price defends the ORR's determination of Network Rail's spending

Railtalk - Worrying portent for the national electrification programme
Blood and Custard - A sideways look at railway life
Forum - Readers comment on topical issues around the railway today
Trackwatch - Our monthly look at changes on the national network
MovingWheels - Rolling stock news
In Business and small ads - Latest happenings in industry
Alan Williams - Boxing Day services
People - Recent appointments
 

Cover features:
Southern focus
Crossrail update
Great Western franchise
Redditch branch to be doubled
No more tanks to Penzance
More trams for Birmingham

News:
News Front - ORR's determination of Network Rail's spending; Waterloo International to host domestic services
RailFreight - Gauge enhancement progress; Alloa line needs rebuilding
Infrastructure News - High output on the South Western, Reading piling
Informed Sources - Roger Ford reviews the FGW direct award franchise, fires the starting gun on the East Coast race and sticks up for British industry
Europe View - Keith Fender presents a round-up of news from across the Channel