NEWS FOCUS SPECIAL: A truly atmospheric railway - but will it remain that way?
The GWR's magnificent sea wall route between Exeter and Newton Abbot is one of the most photographed sections of railway in the world. But with new safety measures already being labelled an eyesore which could destroy the unique appearance of the red sandstone cliffs and fears of global warming further threatening the sea wall, what does the future hold for this section of the national network, asks Robin Jones.

INDUSTRIAL SCENE: Hearts of oak - and a railway runs through it!
Geoff Silcock reports on a Great British survivor of harbour steam... situated at Chatham Heritage Dockyard - Kent's best kept steam secret!

NEWS FOCUS SPECIAL:The capital of steam
Euston may have seen its last steam departure ever on July 9, But with three railtours from the city on that day alone, the steam age still lives on in the capital. Brian Sharpe examines the history of steam's retreat and subsequent return to the metropolis.

ROCKET SCIENCE
While Richard Trevithick built the first steam locomotive, it was Robert Stephenson, whose engine-building legacy has really stood the test of time, with his company, which built Rocket in 1829, still building BR diesels into the 1960s. No other locomotive builder has a history quite like it, as Brian Sharpe reports.

THE SEVERN BRIDGE...
BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT! Victoria Bridge, a Grade 2+ listed structure, has recently undergone its third major refurbishment since the Severn Valley Railway began through operations between Bridgnorth and Bewdley in 1974. Phil Sowden gives a brief history of the bridge and describes work carried out during the last 30 years to ensure that it is maintained in a condition that befits both its historical and architectural importance.

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY!
The Leek & Manifold Valley Light Railway opened on June 27 1904 and if it had not closed on March 10 1934 would have celebrated its centenary this year. Steam ran in that staggeringly beautiful Staffordshire valley for just 30 years: will it ever return, or simply remain another great British railway legend?, asks Keith Langston.

THE CHANGEOVER YEARS: Summer holidays - Eastern Region style!
What happened to the procession of heavy trains of antiquated coaching stock which ran to the east coast resorts on summer Saturdays, behind equallyantiquated freight engines - and not only back in the days of steam? Brian Sharpe looks for the answers.

HEADLINE NEWS
North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group in bid to buy Blue Peter; three new heritage lines open for public services; Sustrans supports Bodmin & Wenford's Wadebridge extension plan in U-turn and the steam locomotive found 1 70 feet below the surface of a flooded mine!

NEWS
New Matlock-Buxton line would not pay - can Peak Rail take over reinstatement plan? Barrington quarry line faces closure; railway fined £15,000 for derailment; original L&B contractor to build bridge second time round; railwayana: a better investment than houses? Corris in new southern push; pioneer railbus to run on North Norfolk Railway; plans to rebuild Bristol's lost underground railway; Lottery awards El 54K for LNWR 'coal tank'; Bressingham's big line back in action; Lottery tops u p Sir Nigel Gresley overhaul grant; track laid through second Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway tunnel, Class 56s for Nene Valley Railway and Great Central Railway (Nottingham) and the first stock arrives at new Shildon museum, are among the top stories in the widest news coverage of the UK preservation scene by far!

FIRST CLASS SUBSCRIPTIONS
First class news - first class features - first class main line coverage -first class photography - and from now on, subscription copies of Heritage Railway will be despatched by FIRST CLASS POST!

SHOWCASE
John Leck's panorama of Ian Riley's 'Black Five' No. 45407 in action at short notice on the West Highland 'Jacobite' excursion takes centre stage in our offerings from Britain's top lineside cameramen.

MAIN LINE NEWS compiled by Cedric Johns
King Edward / set for September comeback with daily steam out of Birmingham Snow Hill; 'preserved' diesel fleet down to just one locomotive; two 'Black Fives' heading for the national network; Ian Riley's No. 45407 rescues 'Jacobite' week and 'cheapest -ever' Flying Scotsman trips now on!

MAIN LINE TOUR ITINERARY
Guide to steam and modern traction tours.

CARRIAGE & WAGON NEWS
Three stupendous carriages outshopped inside a month - a brand new Pickering replica for the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway, an LBSCR four-wheeler for the Bluebell and the restored Wisbech & Upwell tramway coach body finally arrives at Sheringham.

PLATFORM
The pages where your letters matter the most.

YOUNGER VIEW
Gareths Evans visits Bill Parker's Flour Mill Colliery workshops where cover engine Black Prince was overhauled.

UP AND RUNNING
Brian Sharpe's listing of operational standard, narrow and minimum gauge lines with dates of special events, details of driver training courses and locomotives in operation.

HERITAGE NET
Roger Melton trawls the internet in search of sites dedicated to the narrowest gauge lines of them all - the monorail!