News - HS2 review says no Heathrow station, DBS takes over test trains, Government considers longer franchises, and Class 50s for Yeovil-Oxford!

News in pictures - Classes 20 & 73 congregate at Peterborough, Scottish a€~Golfexesa€ , FL Class 66s on NXEA express trains and a pair of interesting DRS freights.

National Express in East Anglia - NXEAa€ s rural routes have been a success story, even in this difficult economic climate. Murray Brown takes a closer look at the operation.

Reviews - Strathwood extends its popular Spotting Days series into the 1980s. There is also a new book that takes a pictorial look at Southern EMUs.

Pictorial: Class 58 cull begins - The last month or so has seen the sale of seven of the Doncaster built Type 5s. We look back over the lives of the seven Class 58s.

Time Traveller - October 1980 saw the birth of the Tyne&Wear Metro, while the same month saw the entry into traffic of the first large logo Class 50 .

Traction & Rolling Stock - Former Fastline a€~Gridsa€ 56301 & 56302 move to Hitchin for storage. DRS prepares to strip 20315 to return sister loco 20308 to traffic.

Railtours - WCRCa€ s Hastings gauge 33207 gets a rare run out to Whitby for a short notice Spitfire charter, plus the best in railtour photography.

Preservation - The Mid-Hants Railwaya€ s new workshop at Ropley catches fire, leading to serious damage to the linea€ s Class 11 . Includes diesel gala listings for the rest of 2010.

Classifieds - Looking for a treat, something to view on DVD, or maybe somewhere for a holiday break? Check out our classified and website adverts.


Rail Express Modeller:

Comment: Scaleforum 2010 - The Scalefour Societya€ s permier event this year sees something of a make-over, with more than just a token D&E?era layout. The show organiser, Terry Bendall, outlines the several reasons why you should go.

Newsdesk: Trade developments - Dapol and Hattons join forces to produce the LMS/English Electric diesel prototypes 10000 &?10001, which will go heard to head with the previously announced Bachmann/Rails of Sheffield models.

News extra: a€~Blue Pullmana€ revealed - Bachmanna€ s 2010 trade open day at its Barwel headquarters saw the manufacturer reveal the six-car Midland a€~Blue Pullmana€ DEMU?set. There was also news about the long awaited Class 40 retool.

Layout: Birmingham Moor Street - The West Midlands Area Group of the Scalefour Society has chosen the former Great Western Railway terminus at Moor Street as its chosen subject. Modelling in 18.83mm/a€~P4a€ read on for more details.

Review: Dapol IFA/IKA?a€~Megafreta€ - Another modern wagon release from Welsh firm Dapol, this time with an intermodal theme. The Arbel Fauvet two-unit a€~Megafretsa€ are a fine choice of prototype, but how does Dapola€ s 4mm scale version stack up?

Exhibitions: Septembera€ s shows - The exhibition season swings into full effect as the autumn approaches. Scaleforum is the lead event for this month, but there are plenty of other shows for you to visit. Check out our comprehensive listings here.

Review: Bachmann Class 105 DMU - The latest item in Bachmanna€ s impressive release programme for 2010 has arrived in the form of the two-car Cravens diesel multiple unit. The firma€ s Class 108 was a great model, so how does the Class 105 compare?

Serial: Mostyn - With a a€~P4a€ theme running through this issue, the boys from Barrowmore Model Railway Group pass on some hints and tips to achieve smooth running trains. There is even a section on the latest thing, springing.

Spanner in the Works - Last issuea€ s review of the Modelzone/Bachmann TPO?garnered some interesting feedback, including this fascinating letter. Our ascerbic columnist also returns with some comments about the hobby.