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

DRS to sell final six Class 37s

Class 701s FINALLY enter traffic

ORR revokes West Coast Railways’ CDL exemption

DB Cargo UK explains fleet strategy

Final curtain for DB Class 60s? • Undisclosed issue causes DB Cargo UK to remove final three ‘60s’ from service several months ahead of schedule.

RMS vacates Wolsingham • A reorganisation of operations has prompted the shunter hire company to leave the Weardale Railway.

Final Merseyrail Class 508 withdrawn • Last Class 508 is retired, while ‘507’ fleet is reduced to 21 units.

First extended TfW Rail Mk.4 set enters traffic • TfW begins extending its locomotive-hauled rakes.

First-built BAA ends its days at EMR Kingsbury • Introducing a modern, new look to steel trains in the early 1970s, the pace of Bogie Steel AB disposals has picked up in recent months, and has now claimed the prototype.

125 Group amends Valenta plans • Group changes plan for which power car will receive a Valenta engine.

Preliminary work on two railway reopening projects underway • Work progressing on various projects, although delays likely.

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

What future for new trains in the UK? • Richard Clinnick reports on recent discussions between Government and the railway over new rolling stock.

PICTORIAL • Richard Clinnick presents a selection of images from around the rail network submitted to Rail Express this month.

The continuation of RMT industrial action • Strikes postponed but negotiated solutions remain elusive.

‘Western’ debut looking likely for June • The long-awaited return to main line charter work for the DTG Class 52 looks set for this summer.

REVIEWS

Return of the Class 423, 4-VEP

Railway modelling is as healthy as ever

Hornby face-lifts its 4-VEP • Described as a ‘problem child’ by Hornby, the 4-VEP model has now emerged from the shadows and has been reworked to remove the issues encountered with the original model. How successful has the revamp been?

TTA treat from Hornby • Delicately detailed new models of the TTA tank wagon arrived from Hornby last Decembe, and are already showing as ‘sold out’ . How well does this new ‘OO gauge model measure up?

Railfreight pioneer from Rapido Trains • The Diagram 1/191, 45t Open AB wagon, a pioneer of the BR Raifreight era, is the latest model of interest to D&E modellers to be released by Rapido Trains UK.

Kit Corner: Test-building a JIA grain hopper wagon in ‘N’ gauge • The N Gauge Society sells a range of very useful rolling stock kits, two of which are perfect for modelling 1980s grain traffic. The iconic Scottish Malt Distillers (SMD) PIA/JIA is subject to a test build in this edition of Kit Corner.