Rail (Enthusiast) Magazine - No.236 Oct 1994

Rail (Enthusiast) October 1994. Issue No.236

Main features:

- Cover Picture:  The day after the St. Blazey Transrail launch to staff, No.37695 hauls the Up Polybulk train at Culverlane on Saturday September 10.

- News:  Staged Yafforth crossing smash hammers message home; Round Oak steel terminal closure proposed; new station for Prestwick Airport; West Somerset diesel spectacular planned; last BRT Class 20 named; signalling dispute latest; Transrail's motorway challenge.

- Preservation Progress:  Rodney departs from Gloucestershire/Warwickshire Railway; The Geordie to be cut up ; first West Country 'Warship' run for 25 years; D5000 is back; 'Royal' Class 31 repaired and repainted at Bury; 40 shunters on show at Meadowhall.

- Running Through the Points:  With the Government reportedly anxious to make a £3.5 billion sale of Railtrack, Peter G.Rayner discusses the issues involved.

- Railtour Preview:  RAIL's unique monthly travel guide includes concern by John Farrow, of Hertfordshire Rail Tours, about falling passenger confidence in the wake of the signalmen's dispute with Railtrack.

- Around the Regions:  Howard Johnson's fortnightly round-up of what's happening on the railways covers everything from the renovation of Newcastle Central Station's frontage to 'Q' trains in the Rhondda.

- E6003 and the NRM:  Should electro-diesel No. 73003 (E6003) Sir Herbert Walker have a place in history at the National Railway Museum? Readers express their views in a Rail Mail Special.

- Departmental Developments:  Tarmac Trackwork's investment in railway plant is fully documented; an Internal User Update details the latest Scottish conversion and a rarity recalled in Roger Butcher's column.

- Wagons Roll:  HAA wagons in internal use at Bow; the latest 'Loadhaul'-liveried vehicles; prototype Roadrailer on show; international car carriers on test.

- Rail Mail:  Is the Settle & Carlisle line the route for a 'nodding donkey'? what Res Publica really means; could half our rail network be under threat? See what our readers think.

- The Price of Progress:  If 'progress' means devastating our countryside by the building of ever wider and faster roads, then plenty has been made in North Wales over the past decade. Railway lovers would probably find a different word for it, though!

 - Crewe from the Air:  Our centre spread gives a bird's eye view of one of Britain's busiest railway junctions.

- Spotlight on Tinsley:  John Stretton visits Tinsley Depot, and finds its reputation for quality workmanship in locomotive maintenance and livery applications to be richly deserved.

- Coasting Along:  As the summer turns to autumn, Phil Chilton reminds us of the loco-hauled passenger trains which again made the North Wales Coast Line a magnet for enthusiasts this year.

- Channel Tunnel News:  Eurostar deliveries; Brush and ABB works plates on Euroshuttle locomotives; new parcels business for Eurotunnel and a row about free tickets are featured in Barrie Hughes' regular update.

- Traction News:  Everything you need to know every fortnight about traction, rolling stock and multiple units, including our popular 'All Change' listing.

- RailFile:  Our regular selection of features about the industry side of railways looks at the extension to London Underground's Jubilee Line, and there's a preview of 'FreightConnection 94', the three-day exhibition to be staged in London's docklands.