Features

  • Scotland’s Union man

    Scotland’s Union man

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    John Cameron is that rarest of men… one who has risen to the top not only in the world of preservation but in the professional rail industry, too. Not only does he own two of Britain’s best-known steam locomotives – Union of South Africa and The Great Marquess – but he has been chairman of…

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  • Live train watching  from the comfort of your armchair

    Live train watching from the comfort of your armchair

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      A fast-growing website is bringing the UK’s lineside into the homes of rail enthusiasts across the world – Aidan Goldstraw logs on to Railcam UK It began with an unexpected Christmas present. Among the items in Alex Howarth’s stocking that year was a security camera. For a while, he wondered what on earth to…

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  • Hydrogen train trial for UK by 2020

    Hydrogen train trial for UK by 2020

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    Following the recent announcement of the Government’s intention to remove diesel trains from the network by 2040, Keith Fender looks at how Alstom has developed a hydrogen-powered train that will lead to a trial in the UK within two years. In early November, Alstom and the government of the German state of Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony)…

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  • Heritage Line Profile: A Lancashire half-century

    Heritage Line Profile: A Lancashire half-century

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    Mark Smithers reports on the West Lancashire Light Railway, a family-friendly operation which has just celebrated its 50th anniversary after starting from humble beginnings in 1967. IN 1878, the standard-gauge West Lancashire Railway was opened from Southport to Hesketh Bank, with a through connection to Preston following in 1882. This line remained in use until…

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  • Livery design: Giving the railway the ‘wow’ factor

    Livery design: Giving the railway the ‘wow’ factor

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    While many transport companies look to external agencies and specialists to develop and maintain their brand and image, some undertake the activity in-house. Virgin Trains was one of the companies that until recently had its own design unit. Steven Knight speaks with creative designer Sam Jessup, whose artistic talents were used by Virgin Trains for…

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  • Keeping steam on the network: Tyseley: Shaping the future of main line steam?

    Keeping steam on the network: Tyseley: Shaping the future of main line steam?

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    As the steam railtour market undergoes one of its most significant overhauls in decades, Gary Boyd-Hope talks to Tyseley’s Michael Whitehouse about Vintage Trains’ bid to become an independent train-operating company owned by the general public. ONE year ago The Railway Magazine presented an in-depth look at the strategic vision laid down by Tyseley for…

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  • Lynton & Barnstaple Railway – It is awake, perchance its growth continues! *

    Lynton & Barnstaple Railway – It is awake, perchance its growth continues! *

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    In the latest of our Lazarus Lines series, Cliff Thomas outlines plans to significantly expand this icon of narrow gauge history. Today’s Lynton & Barnstaple Railway operates over a mile-long section of the original route from Woody Bay station to Killington Lane. For trains to be running again over this iconic 2ft-gauge route is a…

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  • The Railway Art of Philip D Hawkins

    The Railway Art of Philip D Hawkins

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    The Nick Pigott Interview: For almost 40 years, artist Philip Hawkins has thrilled us with magnificent images of trains in all their glory. Now The Railway Magazine sketches the life story of one of the world’s greatest railway painters. WHEN it comes to art, one man’s meat is another’s poison… and that’s especially true in…

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  • HOW IT’S DONE: Photography masterclass

    HOW IT’S DONE: Photography masterclass

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    Significant technical advances in digital cameras and lens quality has made possible the creation of images previously thought impossible. The editor meets professional and commercial photographer Jack Boskett, whose portfolio includes The Royal Family and celebrities. He explains the techniques used to create thought-provoking and dramatic railway photographs. Jack Boskett had his first picture published…

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  • NEW TRAINS FOR OLD: From Upminster to Upcycled – Vivarail’s D-Train

    NEW TRAINS FOR OLD: From Upminster to Upcycled – Vivarail’s D-Train

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    Ben Jones visits Long Marston to find out how redundant District Line trains are being rebuilt to provide cheaper and greener alternatives to brand new multiple units – and how Vivarail is looking to the future with new methods of propulsion. SOMEWHERE deep in rural Warwickshire, a former London Underground ‘D Stock’ driving car stands…

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