7 Editorial
There is a big change behind the scenes as Gareth Bayer gives up the editorial hot seat for Murray Brown to return to the helm of your favourite magazine.

8 News
Siemens wins new Thameslink EMU contract - 1400 jobs to go at Bombardier at Derby as a result. RVEL to repower Class 73. Traxx electric locos for UK.

18 Class 81 Farewell
Two decades ago, we waved goodbye to the original production ac electrics, the BRC&W AL1 locomotives, designated Class 81 under the TOPS system.

19 Time Traveller
The a€~Golden Arrowa€ went over to electric traction 50 years ago. We also look back to the rail, news and pop headlines from 10, 20, 30, 40 & 50 years ago.

20 The PEP story: BRa€ s innovative EMU
1971 saw the introduction of three prototype electric multiple units that would set the standard for the next 25 years. We tell the story of the PEP units.

24 Nostalgia: Diesels over Woodhead
Marking the 30th anniversary of the closure of Woodhead, RAIL EXPRESS takes a somewhat perverse look at diesel-hauled services over the Pennine route!

30 Railtours
Keeping with the Woodhead route theme, our columnist provides some of the notable highlights of the final five years of railtours over the famous line.

34 Preservation
Class 306 unit goes back to East Anglia; A1A Locomotives settles dispute over damaged 31271 and 37025 to receive through ETS equipment.

36 West Somerset Railway
Our series of heritage railway line surveys returns as Murray Brown gives a history of the West Somerset, with photography tips and motive power roster.

40 Traction & Rolling Stock
Class 66 locomotives are swapped as Colasa€ five GMs join GB?Railfreight. As a replacement, five ex-Freightliner locos have moved to the French operator.

Rail Express Modeller

V Comment: All change at REM
There will be a change of personnel at REM as the editor heads off to Japan for an adventurous new job. Two familiar faces are introduced who will take over by the end of the year.

VII Newsdesk: Trade developments
REM reports from the DEMU Showcase Event, which saw the latest pre-production samples on display, including Hornbya€ s a€~Brighton Bellea€ and Bachmanna€ s Derby Lightweight.

XII Review: Bachmann Network Rail MPV
One of the most fascinating modern traction announcements of recent years has finally been realised as a production model. RE takes a closer look at Bachmanna€ s Multi-Purpose Vehicle.

XIV Review: Hornby KFA container flat
The most significant rolling stock release from Hornby since the Mk. 3b DVT is reviewed. The KFA 60ft container flat is packed with 20ft and 40ft containers, but how does it stack up.

XVI Review: C=Rail 40ft reefer box
The latest intermodal product from C=Rail Intermodal is a 40ft a€~high cubea€ refrigerated container. The model is reviewed, plus there is useful guide to using these boxes prototypically.

XVIII Research: Modellera€ s guide to Woodhead
With a 4mm scale Class 76 due to be released later this year, Gareth Bayer provides a guide to the type of locomotives and trains that could be seen on the route in its last decade and a half.

XXVI D&E Files: Class 76/EM1
Designed by the LNER, the production 1500V dc Bo+Bo EM1 electrics (Class 76) were not delivered until after nationalisation. Gareth Bayer explores the detail differences within the class.

XXXII Exhibition diary
Our guide to forthcoming exhibitions in August with a significant diesel and electric era modelling quotient includes a run down of the attractions on show at the two-day Midland Railex event.

XXIV Serial: Elcot Road
Having provided a reference to modelling plain flatbottom track utilising Colin Craiga€ s parts in the last issue, Simon and Terry Bendall now turn their attention to constructing pointwork.