Rail (Enthusiast) Magazine - No.275 Apr 1996

Rail (Enthusiast) April 1996. Issue No.275

- Front Cover:  No.59202 at Milford Junction with an MGR train from Gascoigne Wood on March 7 1996.

- Comment:  Nigel Harris focuses on Railtrack's latest foot-in-mouth incident.

- News:  The aftermath of the Stafford crash; Strawberry Hill says farewell in style; milk train trials begin; Corby campaigners angry at tracklifting work and veteran West Yorkshire EMUs run into trouble. News happens first in RAIL.

- Around the Regions:  Developments from all corners of the network, including the return of Yarm to the rail map after 36 years, the launch of a new study aimed at bringing trains back to Keswick, and alarm at a fare-dodging scam in Glasgow.

- Wolmar:  He's tried, but Wolmar just csn't summon up enthusiasm for Railtrack. More biting comment from the Independent's transport correspondent.

- Scrap, Build or Repair?  Wisconsin Central has certainly inherited a mixed bag of traction for its freight and mail services. RAIL investigates just what it's bought, and concludes new locomotives will be needed.

- Open Access:  You set the agenda for our lively letters pages. The flexible rostering debate continues, a brave vision for a major millenium rail link in London, and the need to start young with rail safety lessons are among this issue's hot topics.

- Standard Trains? No Way!  So you thought all those 'Networkers' were identical? Steven Knight takes a closer look, and finds that the variations from ABB York and GEC feature many differences.

- Reviews:  The latest books, videos and computer games on the market are placed under the microscope.

- Taking a Different View:  Alan Hart presents a stunning portfolio of award-winning pictures.

- Modern Images:  The very best in railway photography - we start with a striking selection of colour images.

- Coats of Many Colours:  Current liveries of the Class 58 workhorse, illustrated with photographs and graphics.

- Rail Blue:  Recaslling the days before diesel locomotives disappeared from the Cambrian Coast Line, and the current Sprinter monopoly, through the lens of Geoff Bannister.

- Traction News:  Our correspondents report on the wide travels of a pair of BRT Class 20s; Class 37s on passenger work at opposite ends of the country, and the start of overnight testing with the Class 92s.

- Rolling Stock News:  David Russel's roundup has news of a Class 141 reaching Manchester, and the West Yorkshire Class 308 units hit by traction motor trouble.

- Freight and Engineering:  Roger Butcher completes his look at some of the lesser-known on-track machinery, with a rundown of a range of vehicles which carry out all manner of vital tasks.

- RAILFile Insider:  As a new page in the history of freight on the railways is turned, our 'inside source' looks at the pieces which Wisconsin has to pick up.

- Keeping Track of Rail Freight:  With so much talk about getting freight back onto the railways, why is this simple objective so difficult to achieve? Patrick Hook ponders the prospects for turning things around.

- Tinsley Open Day Preview:  It's the biggest day in the railway calendar so far this year,  and to whet your appetite, RAIL has a sneak preview  of the range of exhibits and  railtours which will make Tinsley THE place to be on April 27.

- Stock Changes:  Official changes to stock are all here in our comprehensive update column.

- Preservation:  A reunion for early Class 31s planned for East Lancashire, and ten years' uncertainty end for the sole Class 503 survivor. Howard Johnston has the latest developments.

- Stop and Examine:  Nigel Harris takes a wry look at the railway scene and highlights the bizarre reporting of a runaway train which beggars belief.