Railways Illustrated

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. Railways Illustrated reflects the energy and vitality of the present-day railway scene.

Welcome

Railways Illustrated

Rare 20s, hydraulics and a Deltic; SVR plans 2027 big for with two major galas

CrossCountry takes eight extra Voyagers to bolster fleet

WCR finally starts to fit Mk. 1s with CDL

Two Swietelsky UK Class 20/3s sold

Class 67s amongst locos returning to use

IN BRIEF

EPR fast-tracking Class 60s back to main line traffic

Britannic Explorer enjoys some Class 37/4 action

Romanian Class 66s start testing as more sent for export

Class 73s star at charity photo shoot

Retro InterCity looks for Europhoenix Class 37, 125 Group 43, and GBRf 73

TfW’s Class 197s finally start working to Pwllheli

Class 89 makes it to Glasgow Central as second attempt

EMR’s MU fleet refurbishment progressing well

WCML Open Access bids rejected again by ORR

Class 47s back in front line action for GBRf

Northern confirms it is taking spare Class 350s

Extra Class 68 and 70s taken on hire by Colas

GBRf to sell ten ‘of its own’ Class 66s

Class 90s confirmed as sold; but destination unknown

There is more than just RHTT work for Colas Class 56s

See it, squirt it, sorted!

The Rumour Mill

And the news you probably haven’t heard yet…

Unit News

Coaching Stock News

Unit Focus

Names

Liveries

Wagon News

Shunter News

Only one guest, but SVR gala a commercial success

South Devon gala boosted by visit from LSL’s 50050

Class 31 and 33 star at BWR gala as 37 returns to use

Class 20 struggles gamely on at Lancs gala

Test runs for 37009 point to a return to service next year

Railbus returns in Northern Spirit colours

BRCW duo are the stars at Epping gala

Yorkshire Wolds Railway extends its running line

WLA’s Chairman and Director Roger Smith steps down

50017 set for November return

The Highland Line in the 1980s • In 1980, the Highland Main Line from Perth to Inverness used loco hauled trains. Class 40s and pairs of Type 2s were on the way out, to be replaced by Class 47s. However, the ‘old order’ appeared from time to time, plus interlopers likes 20s, 25, 27s and 37s. Ian McLean looks back at operations on this scenic railway in the early 1980s

A Gallivanting Princess • From the introduction of the Class 47s until the mid-1970s, Scotland only had nine of the class allocated to it. One has gone on to have a very varied career and is still with us today; 47593 Galloway Princess. Pip Dunn looks back at its history

What’s happening to… • Our monthly round up of restoration projects around the country, compiled by Pip Dunn

PICTORIAL

A new low for charters?

Calling time on the pools panel Loco Pools • Our final feature looking at the history of sectors and pool codes focuses on the privatised era. Starting with the EWS pool changes of 1998 and the mass of new sectors from the likes of Freightliner, DRS and GBRf, they evolved to cater for a host of other companies still operating locos on freight and passenger trains

THE CHRISTMAS GIFT THAT LASTS ALL YEAR! • BUY A MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION FOR SOMEONE SPECIAL

There’s a ‘Rat’ in the yard! • Class 25s were nicknamed ‘Rats’ because – so it seemed, they got everywhere! Using pictures from the Paul Robertson collection, we look back at the popular little Sulzer Type 2s at work in the BR...