Features

NEWS FOCUS SPECIAL: A PRINCESS IN WAITING ONCE AGAIN!
The problems encountered by the 6201 Princess Elizabeth Locomotive Society in 2004 would, as the saying goes, have tried the patience of a saint. To underline fully the impact that these difficulties have had on the steadfast band of working members striving to keep No 6201 running, their chairman, Clive Mojonnier, talked exclusively to Keith Langston.

NEWS FOCUS SPECIAL: STEAM OR BUST?
The departures of three heads from STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway at Swindon in 18 months, and visitor numbers still well below initial predictions, have done nothing to muffle the alarm bells that have rung since the showcase attraction was opened in Brunel's once-proud works four years ago. The widely-demanded addition of a standard gauge running line is among many improvements that need to be made, writes Geoff Courtney, in the first of two special reports highlighting railway heritage at the hub of the former GWR empire.

NEWS FOCUS SPECIAL: LAST STEAM ON THE JINGPENG PASS?
For many years there have been numerous rumours of steam traction ending in its last great main line bolthole, China. However, the worst fears of international linesiders now seem set to come true, at least as far of the country's jewel in the crown, the spectacular snowbound landscapes of the Jingpeng Pass, is concerned, as a fleet of new diesels arrive to take over the duties of the fabled giant QJs, reports regular visitor Paul Stratford.

THE ONES THAT GOT AWAY
We have an incredible variety of engines preserved in Britain, but are they representative, and do they tell the whole story of locomotive development? Are we building the right replicas to fill the gaps, or do we only miss the locomotives we remember anyway? Brian Sharpe looks for the answers.

THE CHANGEOVER YEARS: TYSELEY TO STRATFORD
Last month we reported on the acquisition of the site of the former GWR loco shed at Stratford-upon-Avon by Birmingham Railway Museum for the development of a second operating base. Robin Jones looks back at the last days of BR steam on the route, and the ambitions of the Tyseley-based operation that aims to make Birmingham-Stratford into the country's top 'steam highway'.

2004: PRESERVATION'S FINEST YEAR?
The purchase of Flying Scotsman, the opening of two new national railway museums, the restoration to running order of GWR icon City of Truro, the launch of three new heritage lines and last, but by no means least, Railfest 2004. What a perfect way in which to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the world's first public demonstration of a railway locomotive! Robin Jones looks back at the truly momentous year of 2004.

ADVERTISING FEATURE: HOLIDAYS BY RAIL 2005
Fancy steam in the sun, or perhaps a high-speed run behind a heritage diesel? Then look no further than this selection of operators who are each offering a fabulous programme of tours at home and overseas to suit all tastes and budgets.


Regulars

HEADLINE NEWS A4 Pacific No 60009 lined up for main line LNER teak train trip; EC ban on coach sales from 1 January; 'Lizzie' out for another six months; Swindon traders offer to pay towards live STEAM running line; West Somerset named Independent Railway of the Year and Duke of Gloucester comeback marred by brick-throwing incident.

NEWS: THE WIDEST COVERAGE OF THE UK PRESERVATION SCENE
City of Truro in double triumph in the West Country; Pete Waterman's team prepares heavy freight trio for 2005; Snow stands down as Mid-Hants chairman after Bunch case; one-in, one-out as North Norfolk boosts its LNER fleet; David Ward retires as Bressingham head; Class 26 to run on Waverley again; Colne Valley and Kirklees railways for sale; Wirksworth gets a Class 37; Derwent Valley Railway's shining example; Welsh Highland dispute over coal-fired Russell; Anna Karenina movie train offered for sale; Oswestry revival in £50k Lottery win; Silk Mills crossing to go ahead despite funding axe alert; Richmond station in £1m grant aid package; Porterbrook may offer Class 87s and Mk3 coaches for preservation and the Ffestiniog Railway turns to building a boat train!

MAIN LINE NEWS compiled by Cedric Johns
Tangmere to take 'Devon Belle' to Barnstaple; Duke of Gloucester returns after Rawtenstall crash; 'Black Five' hits 60mph on GCR test runs; Didcot run for Leander comeback; Bittern 'to take main line by storm'; Merlin may bid to run Lymington line and Bulleid pair to join Royal Scot at Southall are among the many stories in our definitive round-up.

CENTRE SPREAD
City of Truro back on the Dawlish sea wall!

MAIN LINE TOUR ITINERARY
Brian Sharpe's guide to steam and modern traction tours.

INUSTRIAL SCENE
Restoration of the boiler of a Rutland Railway Museum saddle tank.

PLATFORM
Where your views matter the most.

DAVID MORGAN MBE - the man you can't ignore
Should we be building new designs of steam locomotives?

RAILWAYANA
Colin Tyson reports on latest Pershore prices.

OFF THE SHELF
Latest book, DVD, video and software releases.

SCALE HERITAGE RAILWAY
Superb new Class 37 from Bachmann and Dapol's N gauge auto train.

SEASONAL 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 outlines a cautionary tale about how one heritage line was nearly ripped off big time by an international eBay 'trader'.