Rail (Enthusiast) Magazine - No.270 Jan 1996

Rail (Enthusiast) January 1996. Issue No.270

- Front Cover:  Class 37/7s Nos.37897 and 37894 slowly descend the 1 in 40 gradient from Cwm Bargoed at Bedlinog with a coal train for Aberthaw Power Station on October 8 1995.

- Comment:  Nigel Harris gives his views on a recent lecture by franchising director Roger Salmon in which reference was made to a 'hostile media climate'.

- News:  Railtrack issues a ten-year plan, but notable major schemes are missing, Freight company sale moves nearer with Loadhaul and Wisconsin Central battling it out, Class 317 derails outside King's Cross station, Railtrack to be sold off in May, RAIL's see-at-a-glance privatisation guide for passenger operations, plus many more stories - here first.

- Save our Railways:  Jonathan Bray, coordinator of the Save our Railways campaign, offers his expert advice on how you can help save and improve your railway.

- Around the Regions:  Howard Johnston goes down your way to report on many stations, including the demolition of Lincoln St Marks and Torquay signalbox for alternative use.

- Wolmar:  Christian Wolmar's comment this issue focuses on what the three new franchises are promising.

- Preservation:  Howard Johnston provides the top stories, this time featuring the sale of pioneer 'bubble-car'. In addition, he relates the incredible story of how a Class 46 escaped the scrapman three times.

- Tunnel Vision:  Patrick Hook reviews the two shortlisted bidders, one of whom will win the prize of building the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

- Open Access:  This issue's variety of letters feature such topics as compensation for poor service, a plea for real trains, not 'Sprinters', and was OPRAF guilty of delaying tactics?

- The Wrong Type of Weather!  When snow or frost is forecast, Railtrack mobilises its equipment. Murray Brown details how trains are kept running.

- Excursion Latest:  With news from the railtour scene, including a Class 59/2 on charter duty, Howard Johnston provides the full listing.

- Modernising the Railways - Part 2:  In 'The Profitable modern Railway - a fatally flawed vision', Howard Johnston presents his second instalment of how the Modernisation Scheme was implemented.

- Coats of Many Colours:  The colourful world of Class 37s is reviewed by Mel Holley and Philip Sutton, with graphics by Chris Robinson.

- Locomotive Review:  Class by class news, top photographs, including 58050 on a new Freightliner duty, Irish traction update and what's in Works.

- RAILFile Insider:  RAIL's man in high places loks at t he ten-year Railtrack plan and deduces it lacks new ideas.

- Reviving the Locomotive Industry:  RMS Locotec is putting Yorkshire back on the locomotive map with its traction hire and railway operation business. Murray Brown charts its progress.

- Charter Fleet - the Future:  in a RAILFile exclusive, Murray Brown reveals the plans for Flying Scotsman Railway's rolling stock, under the care of subsidiary Carriage & Traction Company.

- Stock Changes:  Find out which locomotives have been reallocated, condemned or stored.

- Rolling Stock News:  David Russell reports on DMU,EMU and coaching stock news, including Class 305s and 309s to Euston.

- Freight and Engineering:  Bob Wallace reviews the freight wagon scene, whilst Roger Butcher visits Chester to recount the story of the departmental stock to be seen there.

- Classified Advertising: Stop here and find a bargain - yes, a surprising array of items to buy such as replica railway buildings and station clocks.

- Stop and Examine:  I've started, so I'll finish! Nigel Harris starts and rounds off a great read with a collection of amusing items for your entertainment.

** Please note - some slight water damage and loose pages **