Rail (Enthusiast) Magazine - No.267 Dec 1995

Rail (Enthusiast) December 1995. Issue No.267

- Front Cover:  Rail express systems' Class 47/7 No.47791 Venice Simplon Orient Express awaits departure from Aberdeen on October 30 with the 2140 sleeper service to London Euston. This locomotive has recently been fitted with miniature snowploughs. INSET: the RAIL Celebrity nameplates refitted to Mainline's Class 37/0 No.37055.

- Comment:  Managing editor Nigel Harris reflects on the great Railtrack giveaway.

- News:  USA buyer lined up for Rail express systems; MP asks questions in Parliament about BR's stored locomotives; Save our Railways succeeds in its bid for a judicial review of the service level proposals for rail franchises; RAIL Celebrity nameplates refitted to a Mainline locomotive and RAIL joins forces with the BBC's Watchdog to press for a fairer Penalty Fares system.

- Fight for Your Railways!  Jonathan Bray of Save our Railways explains how YOU can help fight rail's corner and really make your views heard.

- Around the Regions:  Work starts on the link between station and airport at Manchester; station redevelopment for Whitland and calls for trans-Pennine route improvements. All in Howard Johnston's regular column with news from your local railway.

- Wolmar:  From the incisive pen of Christian Wolmar, the Independent's transport columnist asks whether Railtrack is putting profits before safety.

- Who Owns Our Trains?  The three rolling stock leasing companies are now in private hands. Steven Knight ponders on what investment can be expected over the next few years.

-  Preservation:  Howard Johnston has the top stories, including the Llangollen Railway's Class 20 on loan to the MoD, the unique Met-Camm buffet car is saved and the remaining EPB units are to be sold.

- Mainline in Middle England:  Toton depot is the largest in the country and is the hub of Mainline Freight's heavy maintenance activity. Traction Editor Philip Sutton pays a call to see the enormous complexity of running a huge depot around the clock.

- Christmas Gift Ideas:  RAIL has some more good ideas for presents - including for yourself! From accessories to books and videos, here are the real reviews.

- Seaside Semaphores:  Between Blackpool and Preston, there are still some manual signalboxes. Signalling expert, David Allen reviews the remaining 'boxes and details which Lancashire & Yorkshire signalboxes are extant.

- Today's Freight - Warrington:  For freight action variety, head to Warrington. Paul Shannon details what can be seen and when.

- Open Access:  Dear Sir...yes, another superb selection of your letters to the Editor, including the lack of promoting the Motorrail service, the farce of moving locomotives by road and could the 'Hastings' unit have been used to better advantage by the KESR?

- Locomotive Review:  Don't miss RAIL's comprehensive coverage of all the revenue-earning locomotive classes, plus Works reports, namings and Irish news. All this backed up with brilliant pictures.

- RAILFile Insider:  How heart-warming to see railways being constructed - Robin Hood Line, Heathrow Express link and the Jewellery Line. 'Insider' comments on this trend.

- So Near, yet So Far:  The Robin Hood line opens and Mansfield is back on the passenger map. John Millar reports.

- Electrifying the Heathrow Line:  Masts are now going up at Paddington in preparation for the Heathrow Express units. Barrie Hughes relates the engineering work accomplished so far, including the flyover at Stockley Junction.

- Stock Changes:  You must have this list to be up-to-date. All the locomotive, unit and coach transfers and condemnations. Plus, which stock is for sale this week.

- Rolling Stock News:  With news of DMUs, EMUs and coaching stock, David Russell has the latest details. This includes the stored Class 141 position and latest renumberings of 4-VEPs.

- Freight & Engineering:  To complement the Toton feature on page 30, Roger Butcher completes the story by revealing which departmental vehicles can be seen at this venue.

- Classified:  Fancy a bargain? Fancy buying your own locomotive? Yes, you can - here! Stop and look at the many items offered for sale by readers.

- Stop and Examine:  You certainly should! Yes, Nigel Harris concludes this issue with some more chuckles and gems from the more bizarre of railways.