NEWS - Big police search for missing S & C campaigner; ScotRail to train more steam crews, Duke of Gloucester comeback trains sell out; End in sight for ETHEL?; MP succeeds in winning Environment Bill axemp-tion for steam. All this and more in the world's best-selling steam magazine.
NEWS PICTORIAL - Test runs are rapidly becoming bigger photographic attractions than winter main line specials -due to the absence of ETHELS. Cameramen had a field day in February when the Severn Valley Railway - normally closed at that time of year - saw an A4 run up 500 miles with an all-maroon rake before taking to the main line.
NRM: IS IT A CIRCUS? - The National Railway Museum has come under heavy fire over its rebuilding plans. Former NRM official David Jenkinson reveals the background to the story and suggests the museum is falling victim to the 'heritage disease'.
GLORIOUS YEARS - Few areas have suffered as greatly from the 'second industrial revolution' as the North East. Heavy engineering has been swept away and the grime and pollution that was Tyneside in the fifties is no more. Ken Groundwater takes a trip back through time.
SWINDON: THE PHOENIX RISES AGAIN - The high-tec revolution has also greatly changed the face of Swindon - but amid the desolation of the demolished GW works site is a remarkable survivor - a massive hive of steam age industry. David Wilcock reports.
THE GRIME AND THE GLORY - Did any company treat its prime assets with the disdain BR held for its steam locos in the sixties? A photo-feature with a difference!
THE 46203 STORY - Brell Ewart, owner of LMS Pacific No.46203 Princess Margaret Rose uncovers the history of his engine prior to its main line return later this year.
KODAK 'DUKE OF GLOUCESTER' CONTEST - A chance to win cameras, film and calendar fame.
MAIL TRAINS - Twenty of Britain's top lineside cameramen are improving their craft, courtesy of the Post Office! David Eatwell tells the story of the 'Steam Portfolio'.
DRAMA IN THE WORKSHOP - Readers often ask us for the 'How it Works' and the 'How it's done' of railway engineering. We start off with the little-known practice of valve liner shrinking.
RAILWAY ANSWERS - While on the subject of explanations, why not let Steam Railway's vast army of readers try to answer any queries YOU have.
MAILBAG - The top forum for comment and reminiscences will continue as the medium for readers' general letters.
WORLDWIDE REPORT - David Thornhill reveals the news of the Kimberley - De Aar dieselisation - and slams the shabby way it has been executed.
SITUATIONS VACANT - Have YOU got the necessary journalistic skills to work on Britain's best-selling and newsiest railway magazine? Steam Railway needs a production editor to help take the magazine to even greater heights. Three preserved lines are also looking for staff - it's our classified pages the railways turn to when they want results!
MODERN HISTORY - This month our popular feature turns the clock back on Arley and Carnforth.

FRONT COVER:
Top: Bringing back memories of Gresley's nameless W1 class 4-6-4 No. 60700, ex-works A4 Pacific No.60009, running without nameplates, attacks Eard-ington Bank on the SVR on February 16. Trevor Murray.
Lower: A rowing boat 'pulling' into Swanage station on February 3, the day the line was immersed in 4ft floodwaters. George Shields.
BACK COVER:
Early morning mist mingles with cotton wool balls of steam as Stanier Class 5 No. 5305 rumbles over Lochy Bridge, Fort William on December 1, 1989. John Dagley-Morris.