6 HEADLINE NEWS Network Rail anticipates funding cut; ScotRail gets first mini-HST; West Midlands to start in December; New look for TPE a€~68a€ ; First look at CAF Class 397; DfT curtails Welsh franchise; New livery for SWR launch; Competition eliminated on Exeter route; Colleges get Eurostar power cars; August sees a spate of derailments; Eight a€~31sa€ to star in anniversary event. 14 40 YEARS OF PAIN AND PLEASURE The highs and lows of the Deltic Preservation Society since it was formed in 1977. 20 FIFTIES AT 50! Beginning a celebration of Class 50s as they hit their golden anniversary, we look back to their early years on the West Coast Main Line. 25 THE SECOND MAIN LINE COMING The Class 50 fleet was all withdrawn by 1994, but three years later the first of seven preserved examples returned to the main line. 30 BACK FROM THE BRINK Looking back on the Bury line Class 504 fleet and the progress made on the sole-surviving unit. 34 0-60: CLASS 73 How did a rebuilt a€~73/9a€ do in our test? 75 TIME TRAVELLER October news from decades past. 76 REVIEWS New books for modern traction fans. 77 EXPRESS MAILBAG More on the South Staffs closure; Class 155 cabs. 78 LU WORLD New rail adhesion trains for the Piccadilly Line. 80 RAILTOURS BLS does West London; Start a€~Whistlinga€ for spring. 82 PRESERVATION Mangapps a€~47a€ goes to Mid-Hants; 125 Group acquires more Mk.3s; East Lancs a€~Teddy Beara€ back in action; Three a€~Delticsa€ for Bluebell gala; Didcot a€~08a€ goes blue; Pilot scheme a€~Choppera€ ready for main line return. 88 POWER BY THE HOUR Class 88s stopped for modifications; New a€~Catsa€ let out as TransPennine livery debuts. 90 POWERSCENE Key workings from around the country. 98 UNITARY AUTHORITY Thameslink sees offits last Class 319. 101 SHUNTER SPOT Freightliner reliability improves. 102 COACH COMPARTMENT GWR begins HST hand-back. 103 WAGONS ROLL ESSO TTA fleet heads for scrap. 104 IRISH ANGLE Stored DMUs to be reactivated; a€~Tippexa€ GM re-enters traffic; New MPV on test.