Features

40 A BEATTIE AT BAKER STREET!
Under cover of darkness - literally - and amid almost total secrecy, a steam train ran beneath the streets of London early on the morning of Sunday, February 26. Beattie well tank No. 30587 returned steam to the tunnels of London Underground in a test run to pave the way for major celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the Metropolitan Railway, the world’s first underground line, in 2013. Robin Jones was on board.

48 IS THE FUTURE TENSE FOR MAIN LINE STEAM?
In the second of a series of interviews with high-profile steam enthusiasts or members of the rail industry who play a leading role in running steam on the main line, Geoff Courtney meets Rachel Gilliland, Network Rail’s Manchester-based customer relations executive for special trains. Rachel, who started her railway career in 1991, talks of the many challenges she faces, the future of open access, the ‘who will pay’ debate over ERTMS, the Sir Lamiel lineside fires chaos and her experience riding on the footplate of No. 34067 Tangmere during the ‘Great Britain II’ tour.

64 NEXT STOP ENDON
The Churnet Valley Railway held a gala weekend on February 25-26 featuring trains running through to Cauldon Lowe. Brian Sharpe reports on the weekend when evidence could be seen of progress on the next stage of the project to reopen the line to Stoke-on-Trent.

74 ROGER SIVITER - IN BR STEAM DAYS
A prolific author of railway books up to the time of his death last year, Roger Siviter was always best known for his photographic coverage of the preservation era and particularly of main line steam running. His photographic collection is now in the hands of Colour-Rail and we present a choice selection of less familiar but evocative views from the last days of BR steam.

78 DAMPF UND SCHNEE
While Britain has had a fairly mild winter, much of Europe, and particularly the east, has suffered a very long harsh winter. Germany was no exception and David Rodgers made a last minute short visit to photograph the daily steam workings on the metre gauge network in the Harz mountains as well as some standard-gauge activity in Thuringia.

96 GIVE BENELUX A GO!
Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg have a plethora of steam railways and heritage centres, but despite their close proximity to Britain, and nowadays being speedily accessible by Eurostar, very few of them are visited by UK enthusiasts. Ffestiniog Travel tour leader John Robson runs through the best of what is on offer... and what is being missed.

Regulars

6 HEADLINE NEWS
East Coast Main Line weekday steam ban lifted; Dominion of New Zealand reversion to Bittern confirmed; Flying Scotsman withdrawn from Fab Four gala; Oliver Cromwell breaks down at Cleethorpes, plus where a steam engine may be scrapped in the UK.

10 NEWS
BR green Duchess of Sutherland officially unveiled; ‘donor’ Bulleid Sir Keith Park to debut on Severn Valley; Britannia late booking for big West Somerset gala; City of Wells steamed again after 20 years; cyclepath compulsory purchase threat to heritage railways; Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway in massive stock clear-out; Aln Valley may run first trains this summer; Britain’s finest architectural drawings now available to view online; Austerity saddle tank stars in GCR Sixties gala; Sittingbourne & Kemsley’s Leader back after 31 years; biggest-ever steam season planned for Mid-Norfolk; Britain’s fastest locomotive to be named at Railfest, gala action from Keighley & Worth Valley and Ribble Steam Railway, and why the sun is now shining on the King’s Cross platforms.

56 MAIN LINE NEWS compiled by Cedric Johns
Duke of Gloucester ruled out after collision on East Lancashire Railway; Tangmere to run to North Norfolk Railway and Steam Dreams plans new ‘Green Train’; latest motive power line-ups for ‘GBV’ and ‘Cathedrals Explorer’.

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

72 OFF THE SHELF
Reviews of the latest books and DVDs.

80 PLATFORM
Four pages where your views matter.

86 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 brings out Scots Guardsman and two Fowler 4F 0-6-0s.

95 MORGAN
Where HM Railway Inspectorate has been a great ally.

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

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