Rail Express

RAIL EXPRESS is Britain's favourite modern rail enthusiast title. Undoubtedly the best for modern traction photography, the magazine keeps readers informed and entertained with undiluted coverage of Britain's railways in the diesel and electric era. First produced in 1996, RE has set a new standard for the hobby, with a clean design, high quality paper and the best reproduction. January 2008 saw the magazine relaunched in an innovative 'supersize' format, showing off the ground-breaking contents to the best advantage. Every issue includes news and analysis covering the present day railway scene, plus the latest preservation developments. Also inside: RAIL EXPRESS Modeler - Diesel & Electric era modeling magazine

Rail Express

TPE ends Nova 3 operations

Review finds in favour of ORR over West Coast Railways

DB Cargo UK loses top spot in latest freight figures

Rail Express award for Class 50 Alliance

DB puts 22 Class 67s and ‘90s’ up for sale • The German-owned freight operator continues its march towards a locomotive fleet formed primarily around the Class 66 with the release of two more batches of unwanted assets.

Imerys ends Cornish industrial use • Recent activity in Cornwall has seen the mineral giant dispense with its last company-owned shunter.

Northern Class 319s sent for scrap • Just two ‘319s’ make it into 2024 as ‘331’ shuffle between east and west is completed.

DBC completes second batch of ‘Stegosaurus’ coil conversions • The final 12 wagons, all rebuilt from BYA hooded steel carriers, have been outshopped, bringing the total number of the distinctive conversions up to 70.

Locomotive Services acquires more Mk.2 ‘air-cons’ from DB Cargo UK • Former Fife circle Mk.2s join expanding Crewe fleet

Great Central Railway acquires two Class 153s, but not for preservation • Second generation units bought for testing and training as GCR seeks more main line contract work.

Irish government confirms two railway reopenings for 2025 • Draft All Island Strategic Rail Review identifies railway reopenings.

Powerscene • Our authoritative class-by-class review of newsworthy locomotive workings.

Looking forward to Leven’s reopening • This year’s reopening of the Levenmouth line follows the opening of a new station and electrification of a suburban route from Glasgow. Richard Clinnick reports.

Fund-raising farewell for DRS Class 37s • Network Rail programme director Chris Gee organised a charity photoshoot at York Holgate Works to say farewell to the fleet of Direct Rail Services Class 37s used on railhead treatment train duties last autumn.

An additional £250 million of capital investment for TfL • Central government provides funding, but there are strings attached to the latest financial deal.

Trans-Pennine to Scarborough – is it finally the end? • TransPennine Express’ Class 68-hauled trains ceased in December, bringing down the curtain on the second spell of trans-Pennine locomotive-hauled trains to Scarborough. David Russell looks back at the two periods of operation from 1982 to 1987 and from 2019 to 2023.

Britain’s busiest (and least busy) stations • Richard Clinnick reports on the latest station usage figures, which have been dramatically altered thanks to the opening of the Elizabeth Line.

Second DPS Deltic moves closer to main line return • DPS seeks quotes for fitting mandatory equipment for use on Network Rail.

REVIEWS

Hornby in 2024 • Although there are no completely new ‘OO’ gauge models for D&E modellers in the January 2024 Hornby announcement, some useful favourites make a welcome return.

Fund-raising Class 66 for Samaritans

Regional Railways flagship retooled • Upgrade your ‘N’ gauge regional services with...