Rail (Enthusiast) Magazine - No.234 Sep 1994

Rail (Enthusiast) September 1994. Issue No.234

Main features:

- Cover Picture:  The current signalmen's dispute could have a longlasting damaging effect on the long-term future of freight by rail. On May 13, 1992, Class 37 No.37902 heads south past Burton-on-Trent with a scrap metal service.

- Cover Stories:  Freight under threat - The continuing strike action by the RMT could force freight customers to switch to road - see pages 10/11. Runaway loco: timetable to disaster: the minute by minute account of how a Class 37 locomotive ran away - driverless - from Edinburgh's Waverley Station - see page 5. Official Denial on Class 73 for Museum: The National Railway Museum is denying that it ever considered the green Class 73 locomotive for the National Collection - see page 6.

- News:  Major trackwork starts at Acton in connection with Heathrow Express; EPS services start through the Tunnel, Loadhaul livery variation and Tyseley keeps the 'heritage' DMUs running.

- Freight Facts:  Paul Shannon details the movement of petroleum products by rail from southern England and south Wales, which is big business for BR's Trainload Freight operation.

- Cab Ride from France:  Barrie Hughes takes the ultimate in cab rides, courtesy of Eurotunnel, as he joins a lorry shuttle service in France to head back to the UK.

- West Highland Centenary:  RAIL brings you the best in railway photography as Peter J Robinson captures the West Highland Centenary special at Achhallader.

- 4SUB Commuter Train to be Preserved:  Pete Waterman has stepped in to secure the future for the historic 4SUB electric multiple unit, No.4732. The deal between Pete and the unit's present owners, Eversholt Leasing, is expected to be signed within the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, No.4732 is being used for the last time as a BR asset on September 10/11, in connection with the Open Day at St. Leonard's depot - see page 8 for full details. No.4732 was pictured plying a shuttle service between Margate and Ramsgate stations as part of the Thanet Railway gala weekend on September 3 and 4, 1988. The unit is adorned with a 'Thanet Belle' headboard as it approaches Broadstairs.

- RailFile:  The inside stories on the railway business. Refurbishment of old passenger coaches is the prospect for the future as money for new investment is scarce: the antiquated signalling equipment on the Great Eastern railway around Stratford is being replaced to meet the needs of the 21st Century; Hellifield Station - the gateway to the Dales - is being refurbished, using private capital, in a scheme which is costing a half  a million pounds.

- Preservation Progress

- Channel Tunnel News

- Running Through the Points

- Railtour Preview

- Around The Regions

- Departmental Developments

- Wagons Roll

- Traction News

- Stock For Sale