HEADLINE NEWS Downturn leads DB Cargo to cut jobs; Eurostar cuts fleet and services; Plans for Scottish internal sleeper; Class 31s to work Mid-Norfolk tour; Hercules sold to Class 50 Alliance; HS2 to be merged with West Coast franchise; GB Railfreight to be sold; Welsh Government pushes case for light rail instead of electrification; Thameslink structure a€~a mistakea€ ; Norton Bridge to formally close; a€~Poor maintenancea€ caused high speed collision. 16 WHAT FUTURE FOR THE a€~306a€ ? The sole-surviving Class 306, which dates back to LNER days, is at a crossroads. What does owners the NRM have planned for this unique unit? 22 THE ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY The Phoenix Railway Photographic Circle was established over 40 years ago to push the boundaries of modern traction imagery, and here we present a selection of its membersa€ work. 31 0-60: CLASS 700 The new Siemens-built EMUs are now finding their feet on Thameslink duties, but how are they performing in everyday use? 32 THEN & NOW: BURY Comparing today's heritage hub at Bury Bolton Street with how it looked 50 years ago. 33 EXPRESS MAILBAG Single power car HSTs; Notes on tanks; Class 14s on the Lickey; Network SouthEast survivor. 34 REVIEWS APT the untold story; Early days of the East Lancs. 83 TIME TRAVELLER December news from the past five decades. 85 LU WORLD Prototype 1986 Stock car goes to Coventry. 86 RAILTOURS Including a full round-up of December tours. 88 PRESERVATION NYMR buys Class 24; Class 26 suffers major failure; Class 100 goes for scrap; Wagon appeal launched. 93 POWER BY THE HOUR Colas Rail bolsters its loco fleet. Includes a Railhead Treatment Train photo special. 96 POWERSCENE Our class-by-class round-up of notable workings. 104 UNITARY AUTHORITY c2c takes delivery of its first Class 387/3. 106 SHUNTER SPOT Harry Needle shunters on the move a€ plus a full listing of all surviving 'Gronks' and their locations. 109 COACH COMPARTMENT a€~Reggie Raila€ Mk.1s in focus; Royal Scotsman set goes to Eastleigh for winter storage. 111 WAGONS ROLL DB Cargo order boosts the JNA/MMA box fleet. 112 IRISH ANGLE Historic Derry/Londonderry terminus to reopen for rail use; Grand Hibernian stock renumbered.