Contents Listing - Articles & Features in this issue
News
Direct Rail Services looks set to order 20 new Vossloh Euro diesel locomotives. DBS?runs first freight over HS1. Government delays West Coast franchise renewal.
13 News in Pictures
a€ Deltica€ Royal Scots Grey works the GBRf alumina from Fort William, Thornaby TMD?is demolished, and the Didcot Railway Centre celebrates 100 years of the railcar.
18 Time Traveller
Two decades ago, BR was celebrating the launch of IC225 services. We also look back to the rail, news and pop headlines from 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 years ago.
20 Life After Speedlink a€ Part 1
The end of Speedlink in July 1991 was not the end of wagonload trains in the UK. Paul Shannon investigates the remaining network during the BR years of 1991-5.
28 Speedlink Casualties:?Miscellaneous stores traffic
The little photographed subject of rail stores workings is the subject for the fourth instalment in David Ratcliffea€ s series on wagonload traffic lost in 1991.
30 Scottish Speedlink Swansong
Speedlink services in Scotland will always have a place in the hearts of enthusiasts. Robert Brown and John Hooson illustrate some scenes from the last few years.
34 TOC Focus: Merseyrail
A standalone network, Merseyrail is rarely covered in the railway press. With big changes around the corner, including a new fleet of trains, we explore the system.
40 Merseyrail Memories
David Rapson illustrates the last great period of change on Merseyrail, the 1970-80s era, when the old LMS/BR EMUs were replaced with Class 507s & Class 508s.
42 25 Years of Network SouthEast
1986 saw the launch of a brand new image for the London & South East railway network. We commemorate the red lamp posts and a€~toothpastea€ stock of NSE.
44 Railtours
A brand new operator enters the charter market, as a€~Cheshire Cat Toursa€ announces its first three excursion trains. Plus full railtour listings for the next month.
48 Preservation
a€~Project Millera€ will see the National Railway Museuma€ s 41001 returned to working order by the 125 Group. Plus full diesel event listings for June to October.
52 Traction & Rolling Stock
There are now 41 Class 66/7s in the GB Railfreight fleet as former Direct Rail Services and Freightliner locomotives are renumbered.
74 Reviews
There is another bumper selection of new items to read and watch covered in our reviews section, including a comprehensive new number-crunching DMU book.
76 Travellera€ s Check:?French for Beginners
The second in our new series of articles for enthusiasts wishing to expand their photographic horizons abroad. Mark Darby and Neil Higson visit the South of France.
Modeller
VII Comment: Modelling Speedlink
Exactly 20 years ago, the Speedlink air-braked network was dropped by British Rail. The editor makes the case for using the wagonload (less-than-trainload) operation as the focus of a layout.
VIII Newsdesk: Trade developments
PH Design reveals a range of new resin Class 37 noses designed to replicated those fitted to the Direct Rail Services fleet. There are also plans to produce a Class 20/3 body. Plus new Bachmann products listed.
X Review: Bachmann 2-EPB
The second Bachmann third-rail EMU is now here in the form of the BR design Class 416 2-EPB. We take a closer look at this important new multiple unit release and see how it compares with the real thing.
XII Modelling: Chivers 21-ton mineral
A key wagon for 1960-70s modellers, the 21-ton mineral is a recent release from Chivers. Gareth Bayer builds several examples in BR?bauxite livery, complete with sprung compensation ready for 18.83mm/a€~P4a€ .
XIII Review: Hornby early OTA?timber wagon
After last issuea€ s review of the EWS-rebuilt OTA, Hornby has followed the model with another version of the once common timber carrying design. Rebuilt from OCA?opens, we provide a review of this useful new wagon.
XV Review: Bachmann FNA flask wagon
One of the most anticipated ready-to-run freight vehicles of recent years, the FNA bogie nuclear flask carrier will shortly be available. Produced in two versions, BR?and Procor, the review can be found here.
XVI Serial: Elcot Road
After covering Exactoscalea€ s bullhead track system in the last issue, Simon and Terry Bendall now turn their attention to constructing plain flat bottom trackwork utilising Colin Craiga€ s excellent 4mm scale parts.
Direct Rail Services looks set to order 20 new Vossloh Euro diesel locomotives. DBS?runs first freight over HS1. Government delays West Coast franchise renewal.
13 News in Pictures
a€ Deltica€ Royal Scots Grey works the GBRf alumina from Fort William, Thornaby TMD?is demolished, and the Didcot Railway Centre celebrates 100 years of the railcar.
18 Time Traveller
Two decades ago, BR was celebrating the launch of IC225 services. We also look back to the rail, news and pop headlines from 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 years ago.
20 Life After Speedlink a€ Part 1
The end of Speedlink in July 1991 was not the end of wagonload trains in the UK. Paul Shannon investigates the remaining network during the BR years of 1991-5.
28 Speedlink Casualties:?Miscellaneous stores traffic
The little photographed subject of rail stores workings is the subject for the fourth instalment in David Ratcliffea€ s series on wagonload traffic lost in 1991.
30 Scottish Speedlink Swansong
Speedlink services in Scotland will always have a place in the hearts of enthusiasts. Robert Brown and John Hooson illustrate some scenes from the last few years.
34 TOC Focus: Merseyrail
A standalone network, Merseyrail is rarely covered in the railway press. With big changes around the corner, including a new fleet of trains, we explore the system.
40 Merseyrail Memories
David Rapson illustrates the last great period of change on Merseyrail, the 1970-80s era, when the old LMS/BR EMUs were replaced with Class 507s & Class 508s.
42 25 Years of Network SouthEast
1986 saw the launch of a brand new image for the London & South East railway network. We commemorate the red lamp posts and a€~toothpastea€ stock of NSE.
44 Railtours
A brand new operator enters the charter market, as a€~Cheshire Cat Toursa€ announces its first three excursion trains. Plus full railtour listings for the next month.
48 Preservation
a€~Project Millera€ will see the National Railway Museuma€ s 41001 returned to working order by the 125 Group. Plus full diesel event listings for June to October.
52 Traction & Rolling Stock
There are now 41 Class 66/7s in the GB Railfreight fleet as former Direct Rail Services and Freightliner locomotives are renumbered.
74 Reviews
There is another bumper selection of new items to read and watch covered in our reviews section, including a comprehensive new number-crunching DMU book.
76 Travellera€ s Check:?French for Beginners
The second in our new series of articles for enthusiasts wishing to expand their photographic horizons abroad. Mark Darby and Neil Higson visit the South of France.
Modeller
VII Comment: Modelling Speedlink
Exactly 20 years ago, the Speedlink air-braked network was dropped by British Rail. The editor makes the case for using the wagonload (less-than-trainload) operation as the focus of a layout.
VIII Newsdesk: Trade developments
PH Design reveals a range of new resin Class 37 noses designed to replicated those fitted to the Direct Rail Services fleet. There are also plans to produce a Class 20/3 body. Plus new Bachmann products listed.
X Review: Bachmann 2-EPB
The second Bachmann third-rail EMU is now here in the form of the BR design Class 416 2-EPB. We take a closer look at this important new multiple unit release and see how it compares with the real thing.
XII Modelling: Chivers 21-ton mineral
A key wagon for 1960-70s modellers, the 21-ton mineral is a recent release from Chivers. Gareth Bayer builds several examples in BR?bauxite livery, complete with sprung compensation ready for 18.83mm/a€~P4a€ .
XIII Review: Hornby early OTA?timber wagon
After last issuea€ s review of the EWS-rebuilt OTA, Hornby has followed the model with another version of the once common timber carrying design. Rebuilt from OCA?opens, we provide a review of this useful new wagon.
XV Review: Bachmann FNA flask wagon
One of the most anticipated ready-to-run freight vehicles of recent years, the FNA bogie nuclear flask carrier will shortly be available. Produced in two versions, BR?and Procor, the review can be found here.
XVI Serial: Elcot Road
After covering Exactoscalea€ s bullhead track system in the last issue, Simon and Terry Bendall now turn their attention to constructing plain flat bottom trackwork utilising Colin Craiga€ s excellent 4mm scale parts.
Article Snippets
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