NEWS FOCUS SPECIAL: RIFT ALONG THE BOTHER VALLEY - The second financial crisis to hit the Kent & East Sussex Railway in a year has seen management under increasing fire from angry members, with two senior directors quitting following the stormiest annual general meeting in the line's heritage era history. Many supporters are now demanding a new broom and the founding of a public limited company to free the line from crippling debts and bank charges. Robin Jones visited Tenterden to see if the widening rift can be healed-and if there is a best way forward.

AFTER HOURS - Autumn and winter are hailed as the optimum seasons for railway photography because of the lighting conditions and cool crisp air which enhances the exhaust of steam locomotives. They also provide the perfect opportunity for capturing immortal scenes at dusk or late evening, as Paul Chancellor outlines.

NEW GENERATION LINES: RENAISSANCE AT ROYAL DEESIDE - Scotland's heritage railway movement has never been stronger, with Britain's first 'Plandampf having just taken place on the West Highland Extension, the Keith & Dufftown Railway now open throughout its 1 1-mile length, and more green shoots bursting forth this time on the former Aberdeen-Ballater branch. Brian Gooding retraces his own roots to Aberdeen to rediscover this long-lost route and find out more about rapidly-progressing plans to rebuild part of the Royal Deeside Railway.

FORTY YEARS OLD AND STILL THUMPING! - Designed to last just a decade and replace steam on Southern Region routes prior to their electrification, the 'sister Class 205 and 207 diesel electric multiple units affectionately known as "Thumpers" have given sterling service and are not finished yet. Colin Tyson looks at the 'Cinderellas' of heritage diesels and the society formed to look after their preservation interests.

OFF THE SHELF CHRISTMAS SPECIAL PART TWO - A second five-page special section of reviews of quality not novelty merchandise which you will want to give - or receive - at Christmas. Books, videos, calendars, boiler suits, wall clocks, plaques even the preserved locomotive in Lego!

INDUSTRIAL SCENE: RENAISSANCE OF A MANX MIDGET - Amongst the newest heritage railway schemes in the British Isles is a plan to add a third steam line to the Isle of Man in the form of a 19in gauge industrial tramway that once served Laxey's lead mine, better known for its waterwheel. And plans to build a full-size replica of one of the twin pair of locomotives, Ant and Bee, which used to run on the tramway, are now underway, as Mark Smithers reports.