Team transformation - How a dynamic duo have transformed exhibits at Crewe Heritage Centre.

10 Pictures: James Sutcliffe Lancastrian photographer and enthusiast James Sutcliffe showcases 10 standout images from his collection, featuring a wide variety of modern traction captured at work over the past decade, but also demonstrating just how quickly the railway changes.

Putting on a show - Chris Gee provides the background story behind the ambitious charity photoshoot at Drax Power Station on August 17, organised as part of the power station’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

Splendid isolation
We visit the most remote railway station in the UK

Europhoenix 37901 Mirrlees Pioneer rolls back the years
Northumberland Line set for December reopening
What’s happening on the Wensleydale Railway?
Summer sizzlers! Heritage railway gala pictorial

Keep on growling!
Our latest Preservation Profile features the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway-based Growler Group, which is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the two Class 37s in its care – 37215 and D6948 – and which also marks 30 years since the group first purchased 37215 from British Rail.

Hello Evero
The new Hitachi bi-mode Class 805 Evero fleet entered service with Avanti West Coast at the beginning of June. Railways Illustrated was invited by AWC to travel on one of the trains from London Euston to Crewe to see for ourselves just how they measure up...

Here comes the summer
The arrival of summer has coincided with a number of diesel gala events taking place at some of our main heritage railways. We take a look at some of the highlights from the recent diesel events at the Llangollen Railway, North Norfolk Railway, West Somerset Railway and North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

An asset, not a liability!
Having written comprehensively about the history of the Class 14s in British Railways traff ic and during their time in industry, Anthony Sayer presents a study of the Swindonbuilt Type 1 diesel-hydraulics and challenges the oft -quoted suggestion they should never have been built.

Out of retirement
The ongoing project to export redundant high speed train vehicles to Mexico and Nigeria, which began last summer, has created a lot of interest. We speak to Robert Coleman, the chairman of Romic Group, which is managing the project, to find out more about the company and the fascinating work being done to provide a renewed life overseas for some of the iconic HST fleet.

Brits abroad
The export of former British Rail locomotives to other countries is not a new phenomenon. Anthony Sayer provides an overview of those former British Rail-built diesel and electric locomotives which have gone on to find further employment in mainland Europe since 1998, focusing on the most recent developments.

Next-generation preservation
The InterCity 225 Class 91s and Mk.4 coaches were the last locomotive-hauled fleet to be built by British Rail in the late 1980s, but the surviving examples are now in the twilight period of operation. Andy Coward met up with Ben Denton-Cardew and Chris Curtis from the 225 Group to hear about their efforts to celebrate the legacy of the trains and plans for preservation in the future.

Model Spot
The Heljan Class 47 has returned more than two decades after it ushered in a revolution for UK-outline diesel models. Now completely retooled, our modelling expert Simon Bendall takes a look at the new model to see if it is an improvement on what came before.

The pioneering spirit | It is now more than 30 years since Class 46 Peak D172 Ixion returned to the main line, becoming the first privately-owned heritage diesel locomotive to operate on British Rail metals. Andy Coward speaks to Ixion’s owner, Pete Waterman, recalling memories from three decades ago.

Six cities | On occasions, various train operating companies hold flash sales offering bargain-priced tickets for a limited period. When Northern recently organised a flash sale, Andy Coward went online to book a bargain day out by train.

10 Pictures: Ian Dixon | 10 Pictures this issue comes from Yorkshire-based Ian Dixon. Following in his dad’s footsteps, Ian has been an enthusiast since an early age and grew into railway photography as a result, although these days his preference is the heritage railway scene.

Farewell to the Class 319s
January saw the final operational second-generation Class 319 electric multiple units stood down from passenger service with Northern, just a few weeks after London Northwestern Railway retired its final few operational examples. Martyn Hilbert presents a pictorial tribute.

10 Pictures: Keith Dungate
10 Pictures this issue comes from the lens of Yorkshire-based railway enthusiast, photographer and retired train driver Keith Dungate. His chosen photographs were all taken after dark and feature a wide range of traction, making for an atmospheric selection.

Mr Fifty
Andy Coward visits Laira depot in Plymouth to meet former area fleet manager Geoff Hudson, them an who played an instrumental role in the final years of Class 50 operations on BR, providing many memorable highlights for followers.

Making Ajax shine again
In addition to the locomotives that survived into preservation, four Class 50 cabs were also saved. Gary Hardings has restored the No. 1 end cab from50046 Ajax back to its original condition and details the work done.

New life for old locomotives
In July 2023, work began on the extraction of the 16 stored Freightliner Class 86/6 electric locomotives from Crewe Basford Hall in preparation for a new life in Bulgaria. Anthony Sayer provides the story behind this fascinating project, which will see some of these Britishbuilt veterans reactivated for further use in Eastern Europe.

The colourful Class 60s
In the second part of his photographic study of the various colour schemes carried by the popular Class 60s, Ian Edmondson brings the story up to date, featuring surviving locomotives from the fleet that have seen service in more recent times with DB Cargo, Colas Rail Freight, DC Rail and GB Railfreight...

The colourful Class 60s
Ian Edmondson presents the first of a two-part photographic study into some of the main liveries carried by the Class 60s, looking this month at those colour schemes carried by the locomotives up to and including their operation by English Welsh & Scottish Railways.

Model Spot
Heljan continues to expand its O gauge range with the release of the Class 73/1 in a variety of colourful liveries, along with the PCA presflo wagons. Simon Bendall takes a look at both new models..

Lottie’s legacy
What started out as a fundraising charter train in memory of 11-yearold Luca Pezzulo has turned into a long-running industry partnership that has raised more than £250,000 for a Yorkshire-based children’s hospice.

Great Western
Bringing its 50th anniversary of diesel preservation celebrations to a close, the Severn Valley Railway’s Autumn Diesel Bash brought together the largest collection of preserved dieselhydraulic locomotives in preservation history at the end of September.

Event-onomics
With many heritage railways feeling the economic pinch, event organisers are working harder than ever to provide attractions to bring in enthusiasts – without breaking the bank. Andy Coward speaks to the Spa Valley Railway’s Jonnie Pay, to find out about the realities facing event organisers.

The twilight zone
The long reign of the Class 507 and Class 508 electric multiple units on Merseyrail is almost over, as more of the new Stadler-built Class 777s enter service. Martyn Hilbert presents a pictorial tribute to the veteran EMU fleet..

The metal master
A shortage of skilled fabricators and welders in the heritage railway sector, along with increasingly elderly locomotives suffering from extensive levels of corrosion, has seen Ian Williams create a thriving business helping to transform a number of heritage diesel locomotives. Andy Coward went to meet him and take a look at one of the projects he has recently been working on.

Model Spot
Accurascale has continued its theme of producing nuclear wagons with the release of the current day FNA-D flask carriers in OO gauge, these being joined by the latest batch of Direct Rail Services Class 37/4s in large logo blue. Our modelling expert, Simon Bendall, takes a closer look at the latest DRS rolling stock release.

You are the quarry
The nine-mile freight-only Rylstone branch runs from Skipton to Swinden Quarry in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Network RailNorth and East Route operations director Chris Gee takes a look at this fascinating line and explains how train movements on the branch are managed, illustrated with a selection of his photography.

A splash of colour!
Renowned railway photographer John Whiteley has successfully recreated the past by colourising some of his extensive collection of black-and-white photographs, bringing newlife to the images, with the digital process not affecting the original photographs in any way. John explains how the process works and presents some examples of his efforts.

Pride of Eastleigh
How Arlington Fleet Group has breathed new life into Eastleigh Works.

Four days in Severn
Celebrating 50 years of diesel locomotive preservation, the Severn Valley Railway’s SpringDiesel Festival featured no fewer than 22 different locomotives operating over the 16-mile heritage railway for four days in May. We present a pictorial report featuring highlights from this record breaking event.

Chasing the HSTs
After a long and illustrious working life, time is now running out for the remaining Class 43 and Mk.3 High Speed Train fleet. Photographer and HST enthusiast Chris Hopkins presents the first part of a guide to some of the best lineside locations for photographing these iconic trains before they disappear, this issue focusing on the route between Penzance to Plymouth.

A Scottish sensation
Our latest Preservation Profile sees Andy Coward travel to Scotland to meet dedicated volunteers at the Caledonian Railway, take a look at the impressive facilities being built, and find out more about plans for the growing number of diesel locomotives.

Cab-in fever!
Railway preservation takes in many different aspects of the hobby, and South Wales businessman Richard Benyon has turned his love of restoring locomotive cabs into an extensive collection. Andy Coward travels to Bridgend to meet him and view some of his cabs.

Summer days, drifting away
In the third feature focusing on how Network Rail deals with the extremities of the UK climate, North and East Route operations director Chris Gee looks at the work done to prepare for the unpredictable summer months and the many scenarios Network Rail faces.

Model Spot
Canadian manufacturer Rapido Trains is expanding its OO gauge UK range with a series of new locomotive and rolling stock models. While many of these have been predominately steam-era subjects, the recent model of the long-lived BR ferry vans is a welcome foray into the diesel years. Simon Bendall takes a closer look at these models.

The Colourful Class 67s
The 30-strong Class 67s fleet has carried a number of different liveries throughout its 24-year history. We examine this particularly colourful class of locomotive in words and pictures.

Rails to the Ribble
Martyn Hilbert presents the latest in his series of line profiles, taking a look at the fascinating and varied history of the Preston Docks Railway, which remains in use today for freight traffic, as well as being the home of the Ribble Steam Railway..

Baby, it’s cold outside
Network Rail’s North & East Route operations director, Chris Gee, details the work done to prepare the railway for challenging winter conditions and some of the considerations made when extreme weather can disrupt the network.

In pursuit of snow
In keeping with this issue’s wintry theme, renowned railway photographer Tom McAtee presents some favourite images he has taken during the winter months – when conditions for lineside photograph can be rather difficult, but when the results can be equally stunning.

Loram UK
Derby-based Loram UK really is a onestop railway shop, with the company having an excellent reputation for the maintenance of locomotives and wagons for Network Rail and a host of other operators. Additionally, Loram is now an operator in its own right. Andy Coward visits Derby to find out more.

Model Spot
Our railway modelling expert Simon Bendall casts his critical eye over the Class 92 models produced by Accurascale. Originally designed for operation through the Channel Tunnel, the Class 92s are now used on freight services and on Caledonian Sleeper services between London and Scotland.

RHTT operations
Network Rail North and East Route operations director Chris Gee brings us a selection of his images of Class 37s working on the York Railhead Treatment Trains circuits, as well as explaining about how the trains are organised and operated each autumn, in what is a mammoth undertaking for Network Rail during the autumn leaf fall season.

Island Line
Regular Railways Illustrated contributor Martyn Hilbert has spent many years visiting the Isle of Wight. In the latest of his Line Profiles, Martyn takes a detailed look at the history and operations of Island Line, which underwent a major upgrading project during 2021.

The Caledonian Sleeper
In the second part of our series on the sleeper train services operating in the UK, we sample the Caledonian Sleeper ‘Highlander’ from Inverness to London Euston. How does it measure up against the GWR offering? And does the more modern coaching stock provide better accommodation than the older Mk.3 coaches they replaced?

Six stories – part one
It has been another busy year for our railways, with lots of things happening both on the national network and in the preservation sector. In this issue, we look at six significant stories that made headlines from January to June.

KWVR Railcar Group
The five-mile Keighley & Worth Valley Railway has an enviable fleet of steam and diesel locomotives in its motive power department. However, the heritage line also has a varied heritage DMU fleet, and we meet the KWVR Railcar Group to find out more..

To Cornwall for breakfast
Great Western Railway’s Night Riviera is one of two remaining overnight sleeper trains to operate in the UK, travelling six nights a week in each direction between London Paddington and Penzance. Andy Coward packed his pyjamas and sampled the train to see what it is like and if it represents good value for money.

All change at Okehampton
The Dartmoor Railway Association has experienced many changes over the past 25 years. It is now essentially a support organisation in the revival of the Dartmoor Railway by Network Rail and Great Western Railway. Andy Coward speaks to Tom Baxter from the DRA about its history and future plans.

The Heavy Mob!
We meet the small group with a 'heavyweight' reputation.

The Robin Hood Line 
The route between Nottingham and Worksop spent many years operating as a freight-only route, before being reopened as a passenger route in stages during the 1990s. In our latest route profile, we take a look at this popular Nottinghamshire line and the services operating over it.

End of an electric era
A number of British Rail-built second generation electric multiple units are facing extinction as the modernisation of our railway network continues. Richard Clinnick takes a look at the EMU fleets that have disappeared recently, as well as those facing elimination over the next few months.

Happy anniversary, D1500!
The Class 47 is, arguably, the most successful design of British Rail modern traction locomotive fleet. September marks the 60th anniversary of the emergence of the pioneer locomotive D1500 from Falcon Works in Loughborough. Richard Clinnick examines the BR working life and preservation career of this historic locomotive.

Buckley Wells Redevelopment
The East Lancashire Railway is custodian of one of the oldest surviving Locomotive Works in the UK, but the 1856-vintage Baron Street Locomotive Works is crumbling and in need of extensive renovation and restoration works. Andy Coward returns to his home town to find out more about the restoration and the ELR’s plans for a major development of its Buckley Wells site.

The West Lancashire Line
Martyn Hilbert returns with another of his route profiles, this time focusing on the West Lancashire Railway, the former main line route between Preston and Ormskirk that could in the future see its status upgraded once again. As ever, Martyn’s feature is illustrated with a great selection of his photography taken on the line.

Peak Rail: All change
In our latest preservation profile feature, Andy Coward meets Mark Sealey, the recently-appointed general manager of Peak Rail in Derbyshire, to find out how he intends to improve.

Model Spot
Simon Bendall examines the new Accurascale Class 55 Deltics. This is the first powered model produced by the company, so we find out how they measure up to Simon’s expert eye.

Summit Special
The Peak Locomotive Company owns and operates four Sulzer Type 4 ‘Peak’ diesel locomotives, in the shape of Class 44 D4 Great Gable, 45041 Royal Tank Regiment, 45108 and Class 46 D182. For our preservation profile this month, Andy Coward speaks to PLC chairman Mike Kerry about this leading modern traction preservation group.

10 Pictures: Paul Berry
Sticking in the North West of England, Paul Berry spends most of his time at the lineside in Lancashire and Cumbria, with the iconic Settle and Carlisle line one of his favourite routes. In this issue, Paul brings us another great selection of images in our popular 10 Pictures feature.

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Railways Illustrated Magazine - The best coverage of today's railway scene. Each issue of Railways Illustrated offers a comprehensive round-up of the latest news and topical events from the UK across the present day railway, including heritage traction in operation on the main lines.
Supported by high quality photography and editorial from experienced railway enthusiasts, Railways Illustrated reflects the energy and vitality of the present day railway scene.
Devoted to coverage of railway companies, train operators, infrastructure functions, main line steam operations and principal modern traction heritage sites, Railways Illustrated also presents a regular photographic overseas feature, some semi-technical articles, and a popular practical series on digital photography.

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Railways Illustrated - December 2024

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