MAILBAG - Assistant Editor David Brown delves deeply into the daily post to present a cross-section of readers letters, including praise for our 'Windcutter appeal and a variety of views about recent coverage of Mid-Hants Railway developments.
THE GLORIOUS YEARS - The second part of Noel Machell's portfolio of pre-1968 steam views - from his monochrome collection.
DOWN MAIN - The first in a new regular contribution from David Wilcock which will provide an informed critique about contemporary main line steam issues - the locomotives, people, issues and arguments. This month's topics include the North Wales lineside fires, diesel pilots and the imminent return of 'A4' Sir Nigel Gresley.
WEST LANCASHIRE JUBILEE - Nigel Hams looks at the short but charming West Lancashire Light Railway - a 2ft gauge steam railway tucked away in a leafy corner of the north west.
TWENTY FIVE YEARS WITH "BLACKMORE VALE" - PART II - Roger Price concludes his history of the Bulleid Society which acquired No. 34023 in 1967.
STEAM RAILWAYANA LEG IT TO LEGBOURNE - Many people dream of owning their own station, and David Brown meets a couple who have realised this ambition. They have opened a small museum in East Lincolnshire, which is well worth a visit.
WHERE TO GO - Meetings, railways, museums, steam centres - they are all here for your entertainment.
CLASSIFIEDS - The most comprehensive selection of classified advertisements you'll find in any railway journal... everything from oil cans to engines!
MIXED TRAFFIC - The editor's personal column, with strange engines from greetings cards, our first 'Emotional Claptrap' award for the general media - and a female elephant's date with No. 71000 Duke of Gloucester. Have you seen any howlers or clangers in the media, or any awful engines on greetings cards or adverts? You could share them with us on this page!
WORLDWIDE REPORT - David Thornhill reveajs that a Swiss company is building three prototype rack steam engines, using high technology engineering practices but a vintage outline, for the 21 st century - with a production batch planned to follow.
WORLDWIDE EXTRA - The Cape Mountaineer II, John S. Whiteley describes a 3,000-miles South African railtour with more than 100 runpasts and haulage by 20 different locomotives - in June this year (Photo: JOHN S.WHITELEY)
NEWS PICTORIAL: Just the way it used to be on the Southern. A photo-feature looking at the second weekend of steam operations between Eastleigh and Exeter; with Nos. 34027 Taw Valley, 75069, 777 S;r Lom/e/ - and 34028 Eddystone!
THE KODAK STEAM RAILWAY PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR AWARD - A reminder to send us your entry for this prestigious competition and coveted award-open to all amateur photographers, There are prizes worth more than 201,000, including cameras by Mamiya and Canon
STEAM LINES No.13 - THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE RAILWAY - Confined since 1976 to its Cheddleton base, the NSR is now looking to break out and acquire the seven-miles branch from Leekbrook to Oakamoor A share issue is planned to launch this exciting new project. Dave Felstead tells the story.
GALLERY - The premier showcase for the best in railway photography in both colour and black and white - including double-headed 'Jinties' at Butterley
NEWS: Britain's most comprehensive, informed and high quality steam news service, from private railways and steam centres to the main line. This month we reveal NSE's plans to run steam from Waterloo for the first time since 1967, bring you news of a steam shuttle from Quainton Road to Aylesbury at the August Bank Holiday and report on a forthcoming nine-engine gala at Steamtown, Carnforth. Join us - and be first with the news.

Front cover: In brilliant summer sunshine, Stanier three-cylinder 'jubilee' 4-6-0 No. 5593 Kolhapur makes an aggressive start from Loughborough, Great Central Railway, on Sunday July 12, with The South Yorkshireman. This locomotive, on loan from the Birmingham Railway Museum, looks especially at home on the GCR.