FEATURES

28 WEST SOMERSET: HERE COMES THE BIG ONE!
As an army of enthusiasts prepares to descend on the triple award-winning West Somerset Railway for what has become one of the greatest phenomena in the heritage sector over the past few years - the line's star-studded spring steam gala; Don Bishop, a long-standing WSR volunteer and member of the line's special events planning team, explains the background and planning behind the mammoth event, with its rich variety of visiting locomotives, an intensive timetable and side attractions not found on other heritage lines.

36 HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH... THE LLANGOLLEN RAILWAY
The forthcoming Steel, Steam and Stars gala on 20-22 April, supported by Heritage Railway, will be the biggest event to have happened on the Llangollen Railway, and will raise vital cash for the rapidly proceeding project to build a new GWR Grange. J Crosse offers some advice to prospective visitors seeking the finest photographic locations on this stunningly picturesque line.

43 BACKWATERS AND BYWAYS: LONDON AND THE HOME COUNTIES
London and the Home Counties might not be considered the first place to discover steam boltholes over the last three decades, but where else could a broad gauge track be found in a royal park? In the second of an occasional series, Geoff Silcock looks back at steam backwaters and byways in the capital and beyond...

46 PITCHFORD HALL ON THE KWVR
Britain's most expensive Great Western Hall stole the show at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway's hugely successful winter steam gala, while a long-time admirer of the 4-6-os had the good fortune to make the occasion a real family affair, writes Fred Kerr.

64 THE CHANGEOVER YEARS: SOUTHERN SUNSET
Steam traction finished on BR's Southern Region on 9 July 1967 when the last Merchant Navy ran from Weymouth to Waterloo. Fred Kerr had said his farewells some three months earlier when he spent the Easter weekend travelling on the South Western Main Line; here he recounts his experiences.

70 MASTER OF THE MAMIYA!
Attention to detail is what makes the difference between an average railway photograph and an outstanding one. A renowned lineside master of the medium- format Mamiya, Andrew Bell presents a selection of his finest work which illustrates this point.

76 1501: THE FINAL BOW... FOR NOW
New Year's Eve 2006 brought down the curtain on the activities of WR 0-6-0PT No 1501 at the Severn Valley Railway. J Crosse pays tribute to a one-time colliery shunter's nine-year stint on serious passenger duties.

Regulars

5 HEADLINE NEWS
Mystery deepens over four more thefts of exhibits from National Railway Museum at York; Flour Mill prairie all set for the greatest journey ever made by a GWR 2-6-2T; tour operators sought for Oliver Cromwell and Flying Scotsman; marooned 'Devon Belle' Car 14 back in Britain - and the ignominious end to Flying Scotsman plc.

10 NEWS: THE WIDEST COVERAGE OF THE UK PRESERVATION SCENE
Ten in steam for Llangollen's biggest-ever gala; Green Arrow halted by ECML trespassers; streamlined Duchess of Hamilton project needs more cash; seven vehicles destroyed in Great Central Railway (Nottingham) inferno; Britain's 'first' public railway rises from the ashes; council offers Loughborough shed site to GCR; EMUS back in traffic on UK heritage lines; storms close 'last' section of S&D in regular use; Prussian blue coaches reappearing at Washford, and the 'lost' GWR coach due back in Britain by the end of March; Class 47 Sapper moves to Bodmin, and Duchess of Sutherland to head special train for Terence Cuneo centenary.

52 MAIN LINE NEWS compiled by Cedric Johns
Sharpness Docks steam shuttles for April; Nelson hat-trick for Kingfisher; John Farrow joins Victa Westlink Rail and 'Black Fives' to double head to Stranraer.

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

59 RAILWAYANA
The Internet making its mark in the railwayana sector.

60 PLATFORM
The pages where your views matter the most!

63 SUBSCRIBE TO HERITAGE RAILWAY!
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80 CARRIAGE & WAGON NEWS
York's marooned Gresley teak coach meets its end.

84 SCALE HERITAGE RAILWAY
New Bachmann and Dapol released give major boost to N gauge, while Hornby release Isle of Wight 'Terrier' and a 'donor' locomotive that is now taking its place in the restoration queue!

88 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.

98 NEXT ISSUE
A major announcement for readers.