Rail (Enthusiast) Magazine - No.263 Oct 1995

Rail (Enthusiast) October 1995. Issue No.263

- Front Cover:  Class 20 No.20301 - the first  of Direct Rail Services new fleet of locomotives - sits in the sunshine at Quorn on the Great Central Railway on September 28. The locomotive had been moved to the GCR from Brush Traction at Loughborough after extensive refurbishment. After completing several test runs and taking part in a handover ceremony, the 'Chopper' was moved by road to Sellafield later that day.

- Comment:  The topic of the day is evaluated by the Editor.

- News:  Freight returns to the Far Nirth Line, the Robin Hood Line sees its first test locomotive, a new east-west rail link? Jubilee Line Extension tunnel breakthrough, more trains and cheaper fares for European Passenger Services and the full list of Le Shuttle locomotive names. All these and many more stories.

- Wolmar:  RAIL's new writer, Christian Wolmar, presents more pertinent comment, this time on freight.

- Are Excursions Doomed to Extinction?  Is Res telling the truth over its charges to railtour operators? Nigel Harris talks to Res' Commercial Director, Rod Gray, to reveal some interesting facts.

- Around the Regions:  Howard Johnston takes a look at the news from down your line.

- Preservation:  There's good news for DMUs - no less than three Gloucester vehicles are to return to Norfolk, pioneer 'bubble car' No.55000 waits its fate at MC Metals, Barrow Hill set to receive European grant money and the Class 111 Met-Camm buffet may be saved from scrap. Howard Johnston reports.

- Transrail's Bulk Flows:  Whilst Transrail is in the news for its Enterprise service, the company's core business is its bulk loads. Paul Shannon reviews this freight company's major block trains.

- The D&E Years:  RAIL presents another six glorious pages of traction from the 1960s. Revel in nostalgia, courtesy of West Yorkshire photographer John Whiteley.

- Today's Freight:  One of the country's busiest areas for freight is the Milford and Church Fenton areas, south of York. Ron Cover provides full details of trains and times.

- Open Access:  "Dear Sir, I wish to point out..."  Yes, another selection of some of the best topical letters sent to RAIL from its readership.

- Locomotive Review:  All the classes, all the news - unusual movements, failures, all topped with some of the best newsworthy pictures. Plus, William Watson's authoritative Irish Scene news, what's in Works(Level 5), Naming Notes, stored locomotives and finally, all the latest stock changes, including two vintage freight vehicles which are for sale.

- RAILFile Outlook:  What is Railtrack really worth? RAILFile's comment column untangles the figures.

- Civil Engineering Gems on the Jewellery Line:  The Jewellery Line is now open for passengers, linking Birmingham Snow Hill with Smethwick Galton Bridge. Mick Mabbutt, who has watched the building process, reports on the construction of the three new stations and many bridges.

- Railtex '95:  RAILFile reviews more companies which will be exhibiting at this year's prestigious trade show, this issue concentrating on infrastructure support firms.

- Signals in the 'Garden':  Despite the march of modernisation, many mechanical signalboxes remain in the 'Garden of England'. David Allen details in words and pictures how old lives with new in Kent.

- ModelRAIL:  It's separate again! Yes, a 16-page ModelRAIL supplement is yours, free. Including all the latest news, reviews, Lineside Look, Exhibition Diary and a great feature on modelling the TTA tank wagon by Chris Barnes.

- Rolling Stock News:  David Russell has news of a new coach for the NRM, York, renumberings of Super BGs and 'bubble cars' sent to MC Metals.

- Track Maintenance and Engineering:  Scunthorpe is the location of Roger Butcher's attention as he details what service stock can found here, the home of Grant Lyon Eagre.