Features

38 KING EDWARD II: MISSION IMPOSSIBLE?
Although considered to be one of the engines at Barry scrapyard which was beyond restoration, Peter Chatman gives the complete story of how the Great Western Society has been able to restore blue King No 6023 to steam.

44 BRITAIN’S FASTEST STEAM LOCOMOTIVES IN THEIR MOST ILLUSTRIOUS LIVERY
Last month’s exclusive in Heritage Railway that Jeremy Hosking-owned A4 Pacific No 60019 Bittern is being converted into classmate No 4492 Dominion of New Zealand, complete with garter blue livery, side valances, and most of the embellishments carried by the original to haul the high-speed ‘Coronation’ express, has set the world of preservation alight. Former BR executive and avowed LNER aficionado David Ward says the project is a long overdue tribute to what he believes was the zenith of express passenger train steam locomotive performance in this country.

54 ERIDGE AT LAST
The Spa Valley Railway has finally run its first passenger trains to Eridge, where the station is shared with national network trains. Achieving this goal needed much hard work and delicate political negotiations, as David Staines explains.

68 TWO TRUE BRITS
Both preserved Britannia Pacifics are now main line certified for the first time since withdrawal. The class had a unique history in steam days as have the two survivors in more recent times, as Brian Sharpe recounts.

78 LONDON MIDLAND MAIN LINE STEAM
With a reasonably large number of main line certified locomotives having general wide route availability, in recent years former LMS steam power has tended to dominate charter operations in the north of England. David Rodgers presents a selection of views of LMS steam power at work in familiar (and not so familiar) territory.

94 SPRING INTO WALES ADVERTISING FEATURE
With the opening of the new Welsh Highland Railway throughout, now is the time to visit the principality - and don’t forget, there are many other first class steam lines en route to Porthmadog!

Regulars

6 HEADLINE NEWS
Heritage Railway readers raise £10,000 for Betton Grange cylinders in six weeks; the transformation of A4 Bittern into Dominion of New Zealand - exclusive pictures; National Railway Museum plans ‘biggest ever’ rail festival for June 2012; Seven Deltics to line up at Shildon; record Didcot crowds as blue King launched, and reunited Great Central could become NRM operating partner.

10 NEWS
Last-minute royal visit to open Ecclesbourne Valley Railway; Stratford-upon-Avon rethink sees Tyseley offer turntable for sale, while planning to relocate London Bridge trainshed; rival Welsh Highland faction agree on ‘peace’ train; ‘never say die’ Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway launches Laverton shuttles; Market Bosworth reopens; tribute to Flying Scotsman’s Erica Arneil: NER petrol railcar restoration gets £465,000 Lottery cash; trainspotter takes over Settle & Carlisle helm; action pictures from Mid-Hants and West Somerset galas; coach restorer buys Llangollen Railway station; Welsh Assembly Minister lays first sleeper at Corwen; NRM to restore Stanier tank No 2500 to main line and an obituary for the ‘greatest ever’ heritage railway cat.

37 RAILWAYANA
Geoff Courtney reports on the latest prices from the auction scene.

44 THE THIN RED LINE
David Wilcock laments the passing of an increasing number of railway hotels and pubs, and questions whether the GWR should have further developed its railmotor concept.

54 MAIN LINE NEWS compiled by Cedric Johns
Steam Dreams ‘Cathedrals Explorer’ now offering short-haul trips; both Britannias return; Leander withdrawn early for overhaul, more problems for Tangmere, boiler extension for King Edward I and Tornado still on target for 26 May return.

52 STAR COMPETITION
Win one of 10 copies of the heritage enthusiast’s bible, Ian Allan’s annual Railways Restored guide to preserved lines and museums, now in its 32nd year.

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

84 SCALE HERITAGE RAILWAY
Bachmann’s Holbeck shed Jubilee and first generation diesels, and Hornby’s Brunswick green Tornado train pack unveiled.

88 PLATFORM
The pages where your views matter the most.

92 OFF THE SHELF
Reviews of latest book and DVD releases.

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

106 NEXT ISSUE