Features

42 SUMMER STEAM
There are more steam trains to photograph in summer, but often the results can be disappointing. Robert Falconer reveals some tricks of the trade to help secure better summertime pictures.

64 A YOUNG ENGINEER’S BRUSH WITH STEAM
The late Francis William Pounder bought a good quality camera to take action pictures of steam engines just before the war when he was only 17 years old. The pictures could have so easily become lost but Francis’ nephew Maurice Burns acquired the negatives and is fortunately able to present a selection of pictures, published here for the very first time.

70 THE BOWATERS PAPER MILL RAILWAY
Reports of the demise of the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway have fortunately proved unfounded and the line is scheduled to reopen in May. Gavin Morrison visited the line in its heyday and presents a selection of views from Britain’s last commercial narrow gauge steam railway.

74 LISTED WORLD-BEATER STILL IMPRESSES AFTER 108 YEARS
Mention the term ‘railway heritage’ and most people immediately think of preserved steam lines. However, the national network has many classic pieces of infrastructure from the pre-Grouping era still giving sterling service. Geoff Courtney visited Grade II listed Severn Bridge Junction signalbox at Shrewsbury, now the world’s largest manual box in regular service.

76 MANX DELIGHTS
The spell of high pressure and easterly winds over Easter brought favourable photographic conditions to the Isle of Man, which regular contributors Phil Waterfield and Ken Woolley took full advantage of, with spectacular results.

80 STEAM ON ‘THE MET’
Living near Ealing Broadway, Kevin McCormack developed a keen interest in the London Underground. In an extract from his new book London Underground Steam, here he presents a selection of the fascinating images that can be found within its pages.

Regulars

6 HEADLINE NEWS
Flying Scotsman unveiled in wartime black at National Railway Museum: three Kings for Didcot in September?; GWR steam railmotor No. 93 meets its descendants and problems with the German-built boiler of Australian steam locomotive still not resolved.

10 NEWS
Tornado in Brunswick green stars in Moors visit; Isle of Wight runs first 1960s five-coach trains; help extend Great Central Railway for just £29k; Britannia fails; new Bluebell Railway £3.9-million museum opens; Royal visits for Exbury Gardens and Isle of Wight; Dunrobin and Dubs tank now back in Britain; Midland Compound moves to Bo’ness; preservation’s first driver dies at the age of 97; Great Central gets another ‘Black Five’; prototype High Speed Train power car to run again; new top backing for new Patriot The Unknown Warrior; and did the LNER invent Hornby couplings for Flying Scotsman and Mallard?

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

48 THE THIN RED LINE
David Wilcock presents a further selection of fast-disappearing railway pub signs, reveals a new subject for railway photography and celebrates the return of the auto-train in BR livery.

54 MAIN LINE NEWS compiled by Cedric Johns
‘Cathedrals Explorer’ a huge success, Cambrian Coast to return in 2012 and a superb centre spread of No. 45305 at Waterloo by John Titlow.

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

83 STAR COMPETITION
In the build-up to the big Tyseley Works open day at the end of June when GWR 0-6-0PT No. 7752 reverts to No. L94, WIN one of FIVE copies of Kevin McCormack’s book on London Underground Steam.

84 SCALE HERITAGE RAILWAY
Hornby produces two new limited editions of Flying Scotsman for the National Railway Museum to help maintain the A3, and three new panniers.

88 PLATFORM
The pages where your views matter.

91 MORGAN
Heritage Railway Association chairman David Morgan takes a rare trip from the heart of the Vatican behind steam.

92 OFF THE?SHELF
Reviews of the latest book and DVD releases

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

106 NEXT ISSUE