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

Financial pressures grow

Average fare falls despite rising passenger numbers, says ORR • The success of the Elizabeth Line has disguised weaker outcomes elsewhere for passenger usage and farebox income.

Shock end for Booth’s scrapyard • Rotherham business has dispatched almost countless locomotives, units, carriages and wagons over decades.

Revenue-earning debut for GWR Class 230

Beacon acquires Eversholt Rail • Leasing firm becomes a major player in Britain.

Electrified route mileage and average fleet age creep up in latest stats

Talyllyn Railway awarded £3.7 million lottery grant • Funding comes as the Welsh line celebrates 75 years of preservation.

Civil engineering completed on HS2’s 10-mile Chiltern Tunnel • Construction work on the high speed route’s longest twin-bore structure draws to a close.

Railways in Parliament

From Charles Babbage to ERTMS • British Rail’s Total Operations Processing System (TOPS) is now 50 years old, but the history of railways and computers can be traced back to the 1830s, as Bob Gwynne explains.

The Southern’s 0-4-4 tanks • John Heaton FCILT delves into the archives to look at 0-4-4T locos in the south of England, of which there was a great variety covering the period from 1866 almost to the end of Southern steam a century later.

Hassle at Huddersfield • John Heaton FCILT follows up his previous article about accidents on the Trans-Pennine route around Standedge Tunnel with a look at those further down the Colne Valley.

What, where, when? • Can any reader help with more details about this intriguing photo?

Remembering Brian Penney

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 • Britain’s leading Railway Society

PANORAMA • A showcase for the best in railway photography

West Somerset Railway to host two visiting ‘Manors’ • Three-way negotiations have resulted in both Erlestoke Manor Fund 4-6-0 locos being in action at the WSR.

Barry rescue to steam for first time at SVR Spring Gala • Large Prairie will return to service after more than six decades out.

Foxfield appeal to extend line and repair colliery buildings • £250,000 is needed to complete the current phase of the final section to the colliery terminus.

STEAM PORTFOLIO

Reassembly of the Aln Valley Railway’s Merlin gets under way • The 0-4-0ST is being prepared for a return to service after passing boiler tests late last year.

Solid progress made on restoration of LNWR covered goods wagon • The Diagram 88 van arrived at the Weighbridge Railway Museum in Bishop’s Castle during 2024.

More ‘Collection X’ locomotives leave Surrey for Vale of Rheidol Railway • ‘Lawley’ 4-4-0 and NG15 ‘Kalahari’ are among those relocated to Aberystwyth.

Swanley...