ews - The Government announces that the IEP project is on hold. The first stage of the HS2 route between London and Birmingham is revealed.

News in pictures - A Direct Rail Services Class 66 gets Fastline colours, 66048 James the Engine is recovered and interesting workings for Colas machines.

Pictorial: Alcan changeover - With First GBRf taking over the Rio Tinto Alcan alumina contract from DB Schenker, we present a€~before and aftera€ coverage of the freight flow.

Retrospectrum: Waterman Railways - The early privatisation era saw Pete Watermana€ s fleet of former Rail express systems locos receive LNWR black. The full history is here.

Railtours - Our columnist looks back at his first trip on a F&W Railtours charter, which took place 30 years ago! Includes full railtour listings for April.

Preservation - BR blue is gaining in popularity. We illustrated newly repainted 20048 and ex-FM Rail 31128. The sorry tale of a€~Peaka€ 45015 reaches court.

Time traveller - Three decades ago, Bury Bolton Street station was axed in favour of a new Interchange station. Do you remember the Class 504 EMUs?

Messroom - Carlisle station gets a makeover courtesy of DIY retailer Homebase. The Chinese propose a high speed route between Beijing and London!

Traction & Rolling Stock - General Motors Class 59/2s are taking over from the last operational Class 60s. DB Schenker also stores Executive Train silver 67029.

Classifieds - Looking for a gift for a friend or partner, models, or even something to read or watch? Check out our classified and web adverts here.


Rail Express Modeller:

Comment: Too much, too soon? - The editor, whilst being impressed with the line-up of new items announced by Bachmann urges the company to capitalise on existing opportunities first and reconsider a range of OHLE.

Newsdesk: Trade developments - Heljan reveals that its Class 86 is imminent, however, its model of the BRCW Lion is pushed back to 2011. Just Like The Real Thing shows off its Class 27 kit, which will be available soon.

News special: Bachmann 2010 - There are some exciting announcements in a€~OOa€ in the 2010-11 programme from Bachmann, not least a Class 85 and a€~Desiroa€ EMU, as well as the prototype a€~Deltica€ in the Farish a€~Na€ range.

Review: Heljan BTH Type 1 - Another short-lived loco type from the Danish manufacturer. The editor takes a micrometer to Heljana€ s model of the most aesthetically pleasing of the pilot scheme Type 1s, the Class 15.

Review: Dapol a€~Silver Bulleta€ - Most famously utilised on the Burngullowa€Irvine clay slurry flow, the ICA/B bogie a€~silver bulleta€ tankers have now been released in 4mm scale by Dapol. We give our verdict here.

Research: DVT Modellera€ s Guide - With the release of Hornbya€ s model of the Mk. 3b Driving Van Trailer, REM provides a guide to the correct usage of these vehicles. Includes formations from InterCity to the present day.

Serial: Mostyn ironstone hopper - Mostyn team member Dave Millward builds up 51La€ s ironstone hopper kit, the first of a fleet of nearly 70 such vehicles! Read on for more on this a€~signaturea€ wagon type for Mostyn.

Exhibition diary & Reviews extra - The a€~Warshipa€ diesel-hydraulic makes a return to the Bachmann range, now with lights and DCC decoder fitted. Also includes a full round-up of exhibitions with diesel & electric era interest.