Features
SHAPING UP:
The changing face of Reading - p14
 
HAND-HELD:
70 years behind the lens - p20
 
MISSION TO EXPLAIN:
The Railway Mission story- p34

14 Reading: Between the Lines
In Practice & Performance, Keith Farr looks at the changes taking place at
Reading station and the performance improvements they will bring.

20 Seventy years behind the lens
We turn the spotlight on Gavin Morrison, one of the country’s best-known
lineside cameramen.

34 The Railway Mission
We continue our series examining lesser-known aspects of the rail industry with
Dudley Clark explaining about an organisation that has helped railway staff for
more than 130 years.

44 The Rongshan Prison Railway
Michael Rhodes provides an exclusive report on a Chinese railway, never before
seen by Westerners.

48 Hugh Ballantyne 1934-2013
A special tribute to railway photographer Hugh Ballantyne’s life on the lineside
is provided by Rodney Lissenden and Richard Pelham. Hugh died on March 30.

53 I’d have done what Beeching did!
Phil Marsh reports from the Campaign for Better Transport’s recent Beeching 50
event, where former Transport Minister Lord Adonis surprised many by
admitting he’d have done the same as Dr Beeching.

60 I’ve no intention of quitting railways
In an exclusive interview, entrepreneur and founder of the Virgin Group Sir
Richard Branson talks candidly to Steven Knight about his opinions of the
railway industry.

Track Record.The Railway Magazine’s monthly news digest

64 Steam & Heritage
£775,000 grant to restore Bahamas; Volunteers to run
Dartmoor trains?Weather affectsWest Somerset gala.

72 Steam Portfolio

74 Railtours
Diversions, drought, fires and the future of Flying
Scotsman; Double-headed over Shap - twice in a day!

80 Traction & Stock
First Class 458/5 conversion nearly ready; Class 455s to get
AC traction equipment;Newcameras for‘XCVoyagers’.

83 Traction Update
Scrapped, sold, renumbered, repainted? Full details here.

86 Freight
Bigger charges looming for biomass; Eurotunnel recruits
more drivers after record year.

88 Network
Volunteers test re-vamped New St; New foobridge for
Lincoln; Refurbishments begins at Manchester Victoria.

91 Narrow Gauge
Seven steam in Statfold snow; Loco rescued from fire.

95 Metro
New look for Nottingham trams; Record year for DLR.

96 Classic Traction
First diesel gala at AvonValley; Brighton Belle on display.

100 World
Southern Chile comeback for EFE trains? Czech locos in
Warsaw- Polish ones in Prague.

102 Operations News
News from the train and freight operating companies.

Regulars

12 Multiple Aspects

12 Railways in Parliament

32 Subscriptions Offer

29 Readers’ Platform
The lively letters page on which YOU have your say.

42 All Change
A look at how the railway has changed at Oldham Mumps

55 Panorama
Our monthly showcase, with the best in rail photography.

108 100 Years Ago
A look back to what Britain’s senior rail title was
reporting 20, 50 and 100 years ago.

108 Meetings
Details of railway society meetings near you.

109 Heritage Diary
A comprehensive listing of dates when heritage
railways and steam centres will be open.

113 Reader Services

114 Prize Crossword andWhere Is It?