Features

Rail Cameramen records that the birth of railways pre-dates the practice of taking photographs of railway-related subjects. However, the advent of cameras with better lenses and ones with faster shutters speeds meant enthusiasm for photographing trains increased in the latter half of the 19th century, and railway photographers became a more common sight. According to…

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The CrossCountry (XC) passenger franchise is the first of four passenger rail franchises due for renewal in the next couple of years, with East Midlands, South Eastern and Chiltern being the other three. The deadline for responses to the DfT’s XC Franchise Consultation is set for August 30, and Fraser Pithie, a member of Campaign…

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This August marks the 50th anniversary of the end of steam on BR, and Keith Farr recalls some of the day-to-day performances in the North West as steam was in decline, but also chronicles the famous ‘1T57’ final special from Liverpool to Carlisle and back. One Saturday in 1969, my wife and I were by…

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Consultant Editor Nick Pigott tells the little-known story of British circus trains – almost certainly the most colourful and unusual workings to grace the network on a regular basis. MANY readers will have fond childhood memories of travelling circuses, with clowns, acrobats and exotic animals producing thrilling performances beneath a colourful ‘big-top’. However, for rail…

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While many enthusiasts are attracted by the lure of driving a standard gauge loco, Cliff Thomas takes the controls of narrow gauge ‘Quarry Hunslet’ Gwynedd with an unfitted goods train at Bressingham Museum… and finds it far from easy! An invitation by Bressingham Steam Museum trustee Robert Ellis to spend a few hours driving newly…

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With the writing on the wall for diesel-powered trains and a lack of commitment from the Government for further electrification, Keith Fender looks at some of the alternative fuel options for new trains and trams. THE UK Government has announced it wants to phase out diesel-powered trains by 2040 – and the race is on…

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The Franco-Crosti preheater was a brave yet ultimately unsuccessful attempt to increase the efficiency of the classic Stephensonian locomotive. Robert Humm charts its development in Italy, Great Britain and elsewhere Improving the efficiency of the steam locomotive by using waste heat to raise the temperature of the boiler feedwater was hardly a new idea. Joseph…

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