Features

34 WE WANTED PUBLIC TRANSPORT - BUT WE SETTLED FOR PRESERVATION!
In February and March, all attention will be focused on the North Norfolk Railway and its very special gala to mark the 50th anniversary of the closure of the Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway system, in many ways a landmark in British railway history and a harbinger of much worse to come. Robin Jones looks at the initial aims of those who tried to save the M&GN using volunteer labour, and how they compare with what has been achieved today.

40 STEAMING ABROAD IN 2009: ADVERTISING FEATURE
Find out how you can still catch the last vestiges of the steam age abroad.

49 SPECIAL EVENTS GUIDE 2009
Heritage Railway’s unique 12-page pull-out guide to galas and special events at preserved lines and museums.

61 TO STEAM OR NOT TO STEAM?
The National Railway Museum has had eight locomotives in steam during 2008, five of which have seen main line service in recent years, but what does the future hold for national collection locomotives? Roger Melton talks to Helen Ashby, the museum’s head of knowledge and collections.

70 SITTINGBOURNE FINALE?
Boxing Day 2008 saw what may possibly be the last train to run on the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway. Brian Sharpe was there on a day when the atmosphere was one more of uncertainty than sadness.

76 3M30 HEATON - RED BANK EMPTY VANS
One of the best-known non-passenger trains of the steam era always needed two engines to cross the Pennines. Gavin Morrison recalls the variety of power to be seen on the Red Bank vans.

92 PRESERVATION’S UNSUNG HEROES
What is the most numerous class of locomotive in preservation? John Crosse provides what should be the obvious answer, but perhaps is not always.

REGULARS

3 OPINION

6 HEADLINE NEWS
Sittingbourne & Kemsley rebels to run trains after lease has expired; new £3-million A1 Peppercorn Tornado prepares for its first passenger-carrying trips on the national network, and why the National Railway Museum is asking for another £250,000 to overhaul Flying Scotsman’s boiler.

10 NEWS: THE WIDEST COVERAGE OF THE UK PRESERVATION SCENE
Another £40,000 needed in streamlined Duchess of Hamilton shock; OBE for Severn Valley locomotive supremo; North Yorkshire Moors Railway to launch £1m bridge appeal; new-build Lynton & Barnstaple Railway ‘Yankee’ project launched; no credit crunch at Severn Valley as passenger numbers soar in 2008; red faces at Bressingham as Royal Scot return delayed; West Somerset reoffers Barry hulk for sale; new station to be built at Norton Fitzwarren; Spa Valley steam services to Eridge by Easter; wages halved on North Norfolk, a fifth of rail accidents occurred on heritage lines according to Rail Accident Investigation Branch’ trainspotters are not terrorists says MP; steam back in Southwold at last? British Harbour Railway ‘safe’ from guided busway says city council; ‘Norfolk Orbital’ steam to mark Sheringham link; steam returns to Whitwell & Reepham station; Bowes Railway scrap thieves caught red-handed, and farewell to Butterley pioneer John Hett.

33 MORGAN
The Heritage Railway Association chairman finds much cause for hope despite the gloomy predictions for 2009.

33 RAILWAYANA
Latest auction news and prices by Geoff Courtney.

44 THE THIN RED LINE by David Wilcock
Downing Street’s e-petitions and their impact on the railway sector, plus much ado about the Bluebell Railway and its Somerset & Dorset 7F visitor.

65 MAIN LINE NEWS compiled by Cedric Johns
Ian Riley to double head ‘Black Fives’ over Shap; Oliver Cromwell to head 150th anniversary special and Sir Lamiel runs Waterloo to Waverley via Yeovil.

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

84 SCALE HERITAGE RAILWAY
Paul Appleton presents a full rundown of the new additions to the Hornby range announced for 2009, while the first of the eagerly-awaited LSWR T9 ‘Greyhounds’ and InterCity 125 power cars and trailers arrive at last.

90 PLATFORM
Four pages where your views matter the most.

96 UP AND RUNNING
Brian Sharpe’s full listing of operational lines and museum venues.