The Railway Magazine

The Railway Magazine has been published since 1897 and is now the UK's best-selling general interest rail title. Every month, The RM provides enthusiasts and professionals with authoritative and informed news coverage of the following: - Network Rail and the train operating companies - Locomotives, multiple units, carriages and wagons - Steam, heritage and the preservation world, inc narrow gauge- Metro and underground systems - In addition, the magazine carries frequent items of overseas interest.

The Railway Magazine is also renowned for its wide-ranging and innovative feature coverage, encompassing up-to-the-minute developments as well as historical, nostalgic and foreign subjects. The magazine is also renowned for its award-winning photographic content.

The Railway Magazine

An icon at 50

50 YEARS OF ‘THE JOURNEY SHRINKER’

Chiltern Railways becomes latest operator to be renationalised • The Government took over the keys to the former franchise on September 20 after 30 years in private hands.

Alstom’s Derby factory to build 29 new battery trains for TransPennine Express • Construction of the five-car ‘Adessia Stream’BEMUs is expected to begin in 2028 after the manufacturer secured a £1 billion deal to build and maintain them.

Nexus reveals work required for ‘Metro to Washington’ project • An extension to the Tyne and Wear Metro would use part of the former Leamside Line.

Blackpool heritage trams seek ‘pop-up’ premises • Temporary home needed while Rigby Road base is restored.

Direct Rail Services gets ready for the introduction of ETCS • Full-cab and desktop simulation equipment will be used to train 150 drivers on the in-cab digital signalling system.

Win tickets for SIX on Santa’s Steam Special

Railways in Parliament

First section of the new Saltley Viaduct installed in Birmingham • When complete it will span the HS2 route along with the River Rea, the Birmingham–Derby rail route and the Birmingham and Warwick Junction Canal.

Paddington paves the way • InterCity 125s made an instant step-change in performance over locomotive-hauled services thanks to their superior acceleration, top speed and braking capabilities, as John Heaton FCILT describes.

Fast but expensive • The late Gordon Pettitt was one of British Rail’s most respected senior managers, and a short spell on the Western Region in the late-1970s coincided with the introduction and expansion of HST services, as Part 6 of his diaries recalls.

The fleet goes on • October 4 marked the 50th anniversary of the introduction of HST services at 125mph and, 50 years later, many are still in regular use both in Britain and abroad. David Russell examines the current operations.

A Baker’s Dozen Fixed formation? • Initially launched as fixed 2+7 sets for the Western Region and 2+8 for the Eastern, HSTs have been used in many other formations since then, as John Baker discovers.

Readers’ Platform • Send your letters to: The Railway Magazine, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR. Email: railway@kelsey.co.uk

MEETINGS • Please check with organisers before travelling to events.

From the archive • Subscribe and read previous issues at www.railwaymagazine.co.uk/archive

The RCTS: then and now

PANORAMA • A showcase for the best in railway photography

Scotland’s first modern railway • Following on just a few months after the Stockton & Darlington Railway opened in 1825 was Scotland’s equivalent, the Monkland & Kirkintilloch Railway, as Don Martin describes.

STEAM NEWS

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST Victory makes public debut at P&BR gala • It was one of five locally used locomotives billed for action during last month’s event.

Open Third arrives...