Features

38 A PROPER JOB
The public unveiling of GWR steam railmotor No 93 at Didcot on 28 May will mark completion of the first phase of perhaps the most remarkable project in British railway preservation. Adrian Knowles charts the 18-year story that has resulted in a restoration of exceptional quality.

48 GREAT WESTERN MAIN LINE
The Great Western Railway system includes the last of Britain’s major inter-city routes not to have been visually disfigured by electrification. While economic uncertainty may cause a delay, the overhead wires will come sooner than later. Andrew Bell presents a selection of views of steam on the GWR in recent years, at locations which could be transformed within the foreseeable future.

64 PLOUGHS TO THE RESCUE!
Recent snowfalls across the country have frequently been claimed to have been the worst for 40 years. That may well be so but in 2010 it would have been so much worse had the snowfall been accompanied by gale force winds as Maurice Burns witnessed in 1963. His local Esk Valley branch, now used by the NYMR, was the subject of a huge snowdrift 250 foot long and 15 foot deep that blocked the line and it was six steam locomotives and the last remaining NER wooden snowploughs that came to the rescue.

70 STEAM’S INDIAN SUMMER 2010
Railway author and photographer Geoff Silcock reviews a busy and epic autumn for photographic charters and their participants towards the last few months of 2010.

80 DRIVING IN AN ISLAND PARADISE
A railway enthusiast since childhood, Eric Hayman, now 69, went on holiday to the Pacific island of Viti Levu, Fiji, and unbeknown by his wife Joyce, who was one of the passengers, ended up driving a classic diesel on a tourist train over one of the routes of the island’s extensive sugar cane rail network.

82 A STEAM RIDE TO THE MIDDLE AGES
Shenton station stands on the edge of Bosworth Battlefield in Leicestershire. It is part of the old Ashby and Nuneaton Joint Railway, and is now used as the southern terminus of the heritage railway known as the Battlefield Line Railway. Paul Taylor reports on the startling revelation that the adjacent historic battlefield was not fought quite where it has always been assumed to have been.

86 JURASSIC PIER
David Staines outlines the history and current operation of the Hythe Pier Tramway, a remarkable survivor from the days regarded as pre-Grouping, which is still carrying heavy traffic today.

88 DEVELOPING A MODERN LOCOMOTIVE BOILER
With 30 years of boiler design experience in industry, Alan Haigh C.Eng.M.I.Mech.E. asks if it’s time to move away from traditional stayed firebox design and embrace water tube technology.

Regulars

6 HEADLINE NEWS
Heritage Railway launches appeal to buy cylinders for Betton Grange: Tornado ‘back in May’; Flying Scotsman invited to Australia, Welsh Assembly gives Llangollen Railway £500,000 for Corwen extension and Lydham Manor to go in lined BR black.

10 NEWS
New Patriot wheelsets to be assembled at South Devon Railway; outrage after tear gas used on steam train protestors; Great Central Railway GWR gala special; last steam in Americas ends; first steam charter through to Peak Rail redated; Manx horse trams may end; statutory preservation powers may be saved; Kirkby Stephen East to get National Collection engine; Bittern film maker lauds ‘buzz’ pilot’s skills; NYMR breaks passenger record; Didcot launches appeal to buy lease; Welsh Assembly backs Amlwch branch revival; Chinese steam still running on passenger services; Pontypool & Blaenavon begins new push for southern extension

44 THE THIN RED LINE
Why the heritage railway movement risks being taken over by non-enthusiasts, and steam fans turn out to photograph the end of the RAF?Harriers.

54 CENTRE SPREAD
Andrew Bell’s superb view of BR Caprotti Standard 5MT No 73129 at Irwell Vale on the East Lancashire Railway takes centre stage.

61 MAIN LINE NEWS compiled by Cedric Johns
Steam Dreams ‘Cathedrals Explorer’ adds extra coaches to cater for demand; three charters to run over North Norfolk level crossing and new Settle & Carlisle steam trips from Compass Tours.

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

67 RAILWAYANA
Geoff Courtney reports on the latest prices from the auction scene and previews what is coming up for sale.

78 PLATFORM
The pages where your views matter the most.

90 OFF THE SHELF
Reviews of latest book releases.

92 SCALE HERITAGE RAILWAY
It’s Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway year, with Bachmann released its new 7F 2-8-0 and Hornby offering a Fowler 2P in Prussian blue and a rake of green coaches, plus a new B1 from Farish.

94 STAR COMPETITION
Win one of five copies of Optimum Releasing’s new digitally enhanced DVD of the groundbreaking 1929 Flying Scotsman movie.

95 MORGAN
Heritage Railway Association chairman David Morgan explains how legislation can end up stifling the efforts of preservationists.

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