Features

40 WIRKSWORTH: THE LAST PERFECT BRANCH LINE?
More than a decade ago, Heritage Railway reported on a fledgling railway revivalist scheme to reopen the then moribund Duffield - Wirksworth branch line in Derbyshire. Now, just weeks away from the line’s full reopening, Neil Ferguson-Lee of WyvernRail plc, the community venture behind the line’s opening, describes its renaissance and explains why this might well be the last perfect branch line to reopen

64 FOWLER’S 4-6-0 - THE ROYAL SCOTS
Dave Wilson examines the history of a class which transformed the LMS express services in the 1920s and although quickly overshadowed by much bigger engines, was still managing to put up superb performances nearly 40 years later.

72 THE REINVENTION OF SNOWDONIA: NEW RAILWAY, NEW ENGINE
The Welsh Highland Railway is Britain’s newest and longest heritage line, built on an old alignment. It also has Britain’s newest steam locomotive built to a traditional design, the Lynton & Barnstaple replica 2-6-2T Lyd, regarded by many as the ‘narrow gauge Tornado’. In this special feature, Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways general manager Paul Lewin gives a rare insight of what it is like to both build and drive a new locomotive for the first time, while Robin Jones takes a journey on the first public trip on the fully-completed Welsh Highland from Porthmadog to Caernarfon.

80 STARTING YOUNG - HOW I GOT INTO PHOTOGRAPHY
How do people find themselves drawn to railway photography, sometimes from a very early age? Andrew Strongitharm, 17, recalls how he was bitten by the bug and the pleasure it gives.

88 WHERE FEW STEAM FANS HAVE GONE BEFORE
Heritage railways are all about saving the past for the future. However, on extremely rare occasions there arises the opportunity to travel back into the past, and experience a bygone era for perhaps the final time before it too succumbs to modernisation and is swept away forever. One such occasion will be the Railway Touring Company’s trip to Belarus and Ukraine in late May, on which you can ride - and yes, photograph - many examples of classic steam in what has been described as the last Stalin era outpost in Europe, without having a man in a thick grey overcoat waiting to place a firm hand on your shoulder as you press the button, writes Robin Jones.

Regulars

6 HEADLINE NEWS
Bittern to become blue as Dominion of New Zealand; to repatriate one of three Robinson O4s in Australia; BR green leads vote for next Sutherland livery; GWR prairie to launch Spa Valley services to Eridge both ‘Brits’ main line comebacks imminent; Australia’s most famous steam locomotive in German boiler shock.

10 NEWS
GWR steam railmotor now painted and running - first pictures; Great Central hosts Gloucestershire Warwickshire SOS appeal fundraising gala; Churchward 28XX completes West Somerset gala list; 20 to steam at North Yorkshire Moors Railway gala; Foxfield running again after trains ‘ban’; the end for Weymouth’s street tramway; Great Central coaches vandalised in £500K metal thefts; Bluebell and ‘Brighton Belle’ in Pullman car swop; cliff railway for sale; Weardale coal traffic boosts passenger services; WR pannier to relaunched in black; Ribble Steam Railway gala special, chance for enthusiasts to lease a live steam, diesel and electric museum.and Flying Scotsman on course for unique heritage era A1, A2, A3 and A4 line up.

46 THE THIN RED LINE
David Wilcock asks whether today’s heritage railways authentically recreate scenes from the past, explains why drivers no longer whistle for tunnels, and outlines plans for a 72-mile narrow gauge photo charter in the autumn.

52 PLATFORM
The pages where your views matter the most.

54 CENTRE SPREAD
Dave Rodger’s superb panorama of Bulleid Battle of Britain Pacific No 34067 Tangmere running down the Ribble Valley with its second proving run from Carnforth takes centre spread.

56 MAIN LINE NEWS compiled by Cedric Johns
Stanier 8F booked for ‘Cathedrals Express’; May date set for Tornado comeback; Tangmere problems identified and a busy year ahead for Duke of Gloucester.

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

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

90 SCALE HERITAGE RAILWAY
Hornby’s GWR Castle complete with digital sound and the South Devon Railway’s heavy freight 2-8-0 No 3803 makes it both to the Battlefield Line and on to the shelves too!

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

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