NEWS - Ffestiniog Railway staff threaten strike action following their two per cent pay award, how M7 tank No. 30053 was welcomed back Swanage from America, full details of the motive power line-up for 'Crewe 150', plus news of the Tay Bridge centenary runs planned for LNER V2 No. 4771 Green Arrow - these are just a few of the stories in this month's expanded SEVEN page news section.
GALLERY - Picture action from another month of hectic railtour activity including steam's return to the Peak Forest line after 19 years - and a rare driver's eye view of Duke of Gloucester from the footplate - plus COLOUR of 5572 on the Worth Valley, and Princess Elizabeth on The White Rose' to Shrewsbury.
EXETER WEST - THE SAVING OF A SIGNALBOX - Soon to become the first fully preserved, fully operational signalbox which can be worked by visitors, the 131-lever Exeter West Box is due for reconstruction at Bristol later this year. Former WR signalman Adrian Vaughan tells how this ambitious plan came about, and recalls the Box's operating past.
WORLDWIDE REPORT - The days when a steam locomotive could be found working beyond the borders of its 'home' country on international trains are all but dead - but David Thornhill tells of a case where the practice has just begun again - thanks to political differences between neighbouring countries.
LIGHT RAILWAYS THAT NEVER WERE - The rails of the South Cambridgeshire Light Railway are rusty now, but Geoff Silcock reflects back on a time when this small private venture seemed to have a future.
STEAM SPECIALS ON THE SOUTHERN - Under normal conditions back in the 1960s, steam enthusiasts had as much chance of seeing an A3 on the Southern as finding a 'Merchant Navy' on the Settle & Carlisle - but by dint of the enthusiasts excursions run by the LCGB, RCTS and others, these things did happen. Tony Butcher, a devoted follower of the railtour scene of 25 years ago and more, remembers some of those magical moments on the Southern.
VIDEO REVIEW - Are today's railway video producers recording tomorrow's railway history - or are they possessed by 'runpast syndrome'? Steve Le Cheminant poses the question, and reviews another crop of the latest video releases.
THE GLORIOUS YEARS - Gaslit signalboxes with their tinkling bells, polished brasswork, lino floors and teapots which never went cold, were as much a part of the steam railway as the trains, and this month's contributor Tony Ross recalls some of those he came to know, during The Glorious Years'.
PASSENGERS TODAY, COAL TOMORROW - it is in the tourism market that the Dean Forest Railway undoubtedly sees its future - but it is the carriage of coal from private opencast mines that will'ultimately hasten the re-opening of the full four miles of the Lydney - Parkend branch. David Ponter brings the DFR story right up to date.
MAILBAG - As talks between Butlin's and Bressingham Steam Museum continue over the sale of Duchess of Sutherland, Royal Scot and company, Bressingham founder Alan Bloom hits back at those critics who say these engines should be running on the main line. Your letters, on three pages.
THE DECLINE AND FALL OF RAVEN'S ATLANTIC - With brushes, watercolours and pen, railway illustrator Robin Barnes captures another of the scenes the camera failed adequately to record - the humbled Vincent Raven 'Atlantic', reduced to empty stock working.
TRAIN INFORMATION - The only advice you'll ever need to take on where to go in the month ahead, with full details of Britain's principal private steam railways and centres, dates of normal timetabled services, and special gala events - only in Steam Railway.
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS - Following the Cardigan Bay Express' from Machynlleth to Barmouth and Pwllheli this year? Then you'll need somewhere to stay! This month's 'Classified' offers you plenty of choice.