Rail (Enthusiast) Magazine - No.274 Mar 1996

Rail (Enthusiast) March 1996. Issue No.274

- Front Cover:  On February 29 1996 No.56087, still sporting its metal decals, rumbles through platform two at Newcastle Central station with a southbound merry-go-round train.

- Comments:  Nigel Harris passes comment on the Wisconsin takeover of the three BT trainload freight businesses.

- News:  The Americans take control of BR's trainload freight operation; Railtrack is warned over track condition at London's Euston station and exciting news for Thameslink 2000 and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

- Wolmar:  The Independent's Christian Wolmar debates whether a better tannoy system would have saved a life at Maidenhead.

- Buy a bit of BR!  In an exclusive RAIL reader offer, you can become the owner of a cast aluminium BR 'double arrow' from a Rail express systems locomotive.

- How far does your Money Go?  Steven Knight analyses a selection of British Rail fares and discovers huge variations in the prices per mile that we are paying, revealing that some first class fares are better value for money than other standard fares.

- Open Access:  Another bumper postbag from RAIL's readers, including comments on BR's modernisation plan, drivers hours and the future for stock leasing.

- Excursion Latest:  Three 'Cromptons' to Newmarket is on offer from 33111 Charters, and this along with a range of other railtours are detailed by Howard Johnston.

- The D&E Years:  Michael Mensing provides a selection of his outstanding photographs taken when diesels were green and had a 'D' prefix, and electrics were in electric blue and had an 'E' prefix.

- Last of the Dinosaurs:  David Rapson documents the life and times of the Class 304 EMUs, which will be withdrawn from passenger service in May.

- Why are trains Coming Apart?  Mel Holley explains how buckeye couplings work and asks why are our trains coming apart?

- Modern Images:  Another selection of the best in railway photography is presented in our new feature.

- Railway Guide - Newcastle:  John Hunt provides a detailed description of the railways of Newcastle, where to go, what to see and gives the best locations for photography.

- Coats of Many Colours:  The Class 87 locomotives are depicted in RAIL's popular livery feature, with colourful graphics by Chris Robinson.

- Traction News:  Class 47s monopolising stock train movements and a freight Class 37 on top link passenger work are just two of the topics covered in Locomotive Review. Irish Scene reports on an arson attack on a locomotive and Naming Notes covers a double CrossCountry naming at Edinburgh. Wagons Roll asks 'Will Wisconsin invest in new wagons?',  while Freight and Engineering looks at General Purpose Maintenance Vehicles.

- Rolling Stock News:  David Russell reports on Motorail loading vans being placed in store, the use of slam door trains on Kent Link commuter trains, South West Trains' denial of a reduction in its 'Wessex Electric' fleet and a fire on an Isle of Wight train.

- RAILFile Insider:  RAIL's inside source looks at the future of rolling stock leasing and whether there is any new stock on the horizon.

- Adtranz new name, Old Friend:  Steven Knight looks at what's on offer from the world's newest equipment supplier.

- Preservation News:  The sale of 'Peak' No.45129; a main line run with a Hastings DEMU and 'Drive a Class 20 for just £6' are some of the offerings in Howard Johnston's preservation roundup.

- Classified Ads:  Looking for a bargain?  Then look no further. In this issue we have two railway properties, a toy shop and technical publications for sale.

- Stop and Examine: A page not tp be missed, Nigel Harris' selection of the more bizarre railway events.