Features

46 Flying Scotsman - Early spring blossoms for the first and foremost
The world’s most famous steam locomotive running on the world’s most popular heritage railway – under blue skies with plenty of late winter sunshine: the North Yorkshire Moors Railway played host to Flying Scotsman in its first visit to a heritage line since the completion of its £4.2million overhaul. Tickets were sold out months in advance, and passengers and lineside spectators alike were left delighted, reports Robin Jones.

64 Failures fail to halt spring gala
There were 10 locomotives in action at the Severn Valley Railway’s March 18-20 spring steam gala… but not the main attraction, as Paul Appleton reports.

72 With Full Regulator
Don Benn reports on Somerset & Dorset locomotive performance, past and present.

76 Remembering Geoff Bird, an LNER premium apprentice
The death of Geoff Bird, York shedmaster between 1965 and 1980 was announced just before Christmas. Phil Marsh was fortunate enough to meet Geoff several times to record his fascinating railway career spanning five decades.

88 Celebrating An Anniversary
The Ab 608 ‘Centennial’ Tour Of New Zealand’s South Island. The most demanding railtour so far operated by the restored locomotive No. 608 has been the ‘Centennial’, an ambitious tour of the whole of the South Island in October/November 2015. Lionel Price reports on the tour that celebrated the 100th anniversary of the locomotive.

Regulars

6 Headline News
West Coast Railways back in business after prohibition notice lifted; Lottery gives £1.17million grant to Barrow Hill roundhouse; P2 project launches £200,000 appeal to wheel Prince of Wales; Severn Valley in £5million bid to upgrade Bridgnorth station, and the BR Standard tank marooned on a motorway.

10 News
Sudden death of National Railway Museum steam legend Ray Towell shocks heritage sector; Pete Waterman launches £1.25million appeal for last mile to Broadway; pioneer NER autocar chassis makes first runs on Great Central; steam rescues electric passengers on Isle of Wight; Manx horse trams reprieved for summer season; The Who frontman and fellow pop stars progressing new Ashford model railway centre; trains call again at Witton-le-Wear after 63 years; Lottery gives £3million for lost railways of North Yorkshire Moors; Glasgow underground stock on offer to heritage venues; steam memories as St Philip’s Marsh celebrates HST, and the time when BR thought Flying Scotsman was no more than ‘scrap metal’.

56 Main Line News
Railtour promoters back in business after West Coast ban lifted; Sheringham BR Standard 4 ready for main line; Bulleid Braunton in the paint shop and Hastings Diesels may run eight-car set.

52 Railwayana
Geoff Courtney’s regular column.

54 Centre
Duchess of Sutherland on the climb to Beattock by Derek Phillips.

56 Main Line Tours
Steam and heritage diesel railtours.

84 Platform
Where your views matter most.

94 Up & Running
Guide to railways running over Easter.

106 The Month Ahead