Crisis on the Southern - Behind the Scenes - Chris Leigh summarises the official investigation into why No. 35020 suffered a broken axle when running at over 70mph
Crisis on the Southern - From the Lineside - In the second section of this special feature David Anderson and Richard Strange pool their records of observations following 'Crewkerne,' a remarkable period when 'B1' and 'Black Five' 4-6-0s worked SR expresses and 'V2' 2-6-2s headed the 'Bournemouth Belle.'
General Merchandise and Goods Depots - Compared to the pre-Beeching era, today's remaining freight traffic is a drop in the ocean, and Clem Huzzey provides a fascinating reminder of the immense variety in general merchandise and sundries shipments
That Other Island Experience - In the 1950s and 1960s there was much of railway interest to be found 'off-shore' in Ireland, the Isle of Wight and the Isle of Man. The Isle of Man offered a whole system of 3ft gauge lines, as recalled by long-time fan Klaus Marx
Manx Pictorial - To mark the Isle of Man 'Year of Railways', photographer Keith Pirt presents a selection of his best vintage colour transparencies
Book Reviews - Another selection of the latest offerings from the publishers anSigns of Their Time - Following the feature on cast iron sign-ware in the March issue, Chris Leigh considers an array of enamel signs from pre-Grouping days through to the BR regional varieties
From the Footplate of Nunney Castle - In 1963 Tom Bodinpton made a cine film from the footplate of'C.asile' 4-6-0 No. 5029 Nunney Castle between Newport and Salisbury. He recalls this special journey over a cross-country main line route and with an engine which can still be seen and enjoyed
Mostly the Art and Practice of Pestering Enginemen - Moving on from Woodford Halse, R.H.N. Hardy became shedmaster at Ipswich, where a remarkable collection of ruilwaymen came under the control of an eccentric list clerk with some unorthodox methods of his own.
Variety on the Draw-bar - 2 - Coaching stock variety added spice to the railway enthusiasts life during the 1950s and early 1960s, with some pre-Grouping vehicles still in regular service. Michael Harris recalls some of the most interesting types, and mourns their demise at the hands of Dr. Beeching
Platform - There are more recollections of Boumc End, Crewe Works shunters, breakdown cranes, and 'careless talk' among this month's delve into the Steam Wbrtd postbag.

Front cover: 'Grange' 4-6-0 No. 6801 Aylburton Grange passes St. Blazey with an eastbound fitted freight on June 14 1960. Fast freight in general merchandise wagons was the life-blood of the system efore Dr. Beeching's 'surgery', as recounted by Clem Huzzey on page 15.