News
Headline News - The Queen travels behind steam; Virgin unveils Thunderbird and electric blue Class 86; Search for five mystery Potters Bars workers; Dreadful month for mishaps; Railtrack probes contractor safety lapses;

Features:
Fowler's 'Improved Castles' - Had the Great Western been prepared to sell Castles to the LMS, the Royal Scots might never have been built. Keith Farr traces the history of the LMS 4-6-Os.
The Future of Britain's Railways - Strategic Rail Authority chief Richard Bowker reveals his plans for the network in an exclusive interview with John Gough.
Panorama - A superb selection of quality railway photographs in our monthly showcase, sponsored by Fuji Sensia II.
'Garden Sheds' on Rails - Supposed to be the saviour of rural branches, second generation railbuses soon became known as garden sheds . Colin Marsden tells the story.
Railtrack's 'Best-seller' - John Cormack goes behind the scenes to see how timetables are made
Join us for the Last Great Steam Show - The end of main line steam in China is nigh after two centuries — now The Railway Magazine is giving you the chance to witness it for yourself!
Practice & Performance - Chief correspondent Peter Semmens compares HST diesel and IC225 electric performances between York and Darlington.

Track Record - THE RAILWAY MAGAZINE'S MONTHLY NEWS DIGEST:
Traction & Stock - Class 180s enter timetabled services; More Class 66s arrive from North America; Full safety case for Voyagers; Fragonset 33s for the Southern.
Network News
Steam News - Flash floods damage East Lanes line; WD 2-10-0 for Great Central; Tank engine theme for Barrow Hill gala Steam test for Duke of Gloucester, Hunslet double-header for Foxfield. Plus our Steam News Portfolio 
Narrow Gauge News
Classic Traction
'Special' Pages
Rail Tourer
Metro News
Fight for Freight
Operations News
Traction Update

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FRONT COVER: Thunderbirds are Go! The first of the new Virgin Trains rescue locomotives, No. 57301, was unveiled at Euston on June 17. Full story on page 4. colin J. marsden
INSET: An immensely proud day for the preservation movement as No. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland prepares to leave Holyhead on June 11 with the first-ever Royal Train hauled on the main line by a preserved steam engine. Full story in Headline News.