Features

38 London’s steam Olympics
Scriptwriters for Doctor Who might have discarded the idea as too fantastic. A genuine Metropolitan Railway train once again taking passengers through the tunnels of the world’s greatest underground network for the first time since 1905. Yet a brilliant display of teamwork by London Underground, the city’s transport museum and their partners have made the impossible possible, as Robin Jones experienced when he boarded a test train in the early hours of December 16.

42 Roland Kennington is not for retiring as steam passion still burns bright
A CV that includes an involvement with two Gresley A4s, a Bulleid Pacific, a Stanier class pioneer and – most famously – a long and close association with A3 No. 4472 Flying Scotsman makes Roland one of the most experienced engineers in the steam preservation era. He talks to Geoff Courtney about the highs and lows of his three decades working with steam, from volunteer with the A4 Locomotive Society to a partnership with the grandest lady of them all, ‘the world’s most famous locomotive’.

49 Events Guide
The Heritage Railway annual guide to all the enthusiast events planned for 2013.

70 Southern steam lives on
The history books tell us that 45 years ago in July 1967 steam finished on the Southern Region. To the railway enthusiast though the autumn of 2012 served up a feast of BR Southern era steam in action that made you wonder if it really did finish all those years ago. Martin Creese presents a selection of stunning images in glorious autumnal light.

82 The dentist and the Donegal
American dentist Dr Ralph Cox died last year at the grand old age of 97. The part he played in giving a stay of execution to several items of County Donegal Railway stock was consigned to a footnote in its history; but here it is recalled in detail by Jeffery Grayer.

88 The real winter
Christmas without snow, ice or frost was ‘floodmas’ to many Brits – but Warwick Falconer captured the greatest steam show on the planet in plummeting temperatures in Northern China.

32 SUBSCRIBE TO HERITAGE RAILWAY!
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Regulars

6 Headline News
Metropolitan Railway No. 1 heads Bluebell Chesham set through London Underground tunnels; rewards for preservationists in New Year Honours list; rain and Olympics blamed for downturn in passenger numbers; steam railmotor for Barry Tourist Railway, and missing LMS ‘Crab’ wheels found by police.

10 News
New historic carriage shed plans for Great Central Swithland sidings; Black Prince to star in ‘Betton Grange gala’ at Ruddington; meet Britain’s youngest train driver, who changed her name so it sounded like that of a Welsh Highland locomotive; blue king for big GCR winter gala hopes; third  honour for Epping Ongar in Heritage Railway Association annual awards; S160 runs to Cauldon Lowe; Plym Valley opens new northern terminus; Aln Valley plans Easter trains; Braunton boost for East Lancashire festive trains; plans for horse tram to run on museum railway and Severn Valley seasonal spectacular.

54 Centre
A recreation of a typical latter-day Somerset & Dorset train on the Bluebell Railway on New Year’s Day by Warwick Falconer .

62 Main Line News
Network Rail’s new York turntable now operational; new compensation rules may force railtour operators out of business;.

 68 Main Line Itinerary
Brian Sharpe’s definitive guide to steam and heritage modern traction railtours in the coming month.

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

91 Off The Shelf
New Met 150 merchandise range – and create your own Ordnance Survey maps!

92 Platform 
The pages where it’s your views which matter most. Subjects include whether the NRM?should build an outstation at Crewe.

93 Morgan
The Heritage Railway Association chairman ponders over lessons to be learned in the year ahead.

94 Scale Heritage Railway
Why LNER modellers have never had it so good, and is the new Farish Midland Pullman the best N gauge model ever made?

99 Up & Running
Brian Sharpe’s complete listing of museums and operational heritage lines.

106 Next Month

27 WIN FIVE copies of latest Michael Portillo GREAT RAILWAY JOURNEYS DVD worth £39.95!