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

Shame on the politicians

RAIL EXPRESS

RAIL EXPRESS

‘Electra’ blushes in new livery • New oxblood-accented colour scheme roll-out heralds decent future for IC225 sets.

Early opening for Barking extension • Passenger trains are due to start running on the London Overground line this summer.

RAIL EXPRESS ANALYSIS SPECI AL: UK RAIL FREIGHT MARKET • Rail freight volumes are rising, but much more needs to be done to achieve a genuine rail freight revolution

IN BRIEF

Bessie’s Bulletin

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:

Class 805 starts static tests • Construction of new Hitachi units is running to schedule.

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

Class 37/9 returns to the main line after nearly 24 years • Although the sub-class has gained plenty of preservation mileage, Mirrlees Pioneer is the first of its kind to work under its own power on the national network since January 1999.

Avanti hands back two ‘Super Voyagers’ • A pair of Class 221s are returned to Beacon Rail.

Ex-Transplant ‘slinger’ wagons get extended lease of life • With 18 former Metronet FEA-S flats in lemon yellow already brightening up its container trains, GB Railfreight will add a further nine examples to its operational fleet with the addition of many of the RSDT wagons previously used on LUL upgrade work.

Locomotive Services expands Mk.3 fleet • Crewe-based firm acquires coaches from Barry Tourist Railway.

IN BRIEF

DEPOT TALK

‘Chopper’ to visit Severn Valley for 2022 season • Class 20 becomes Bridgnorth standby loco as diesel use increases due to the cost of living crisis.

IN BRIEF

IN BRIEF

‘Whistler’ to remain at SVR?

DIESEL DIARY

No resolution to TfL funding disagreement

RSS plans Class 08 replacement • The shunter hire company has unveiled its North American-style solution to take over from the venerable Gronks.

XPO container service frequency doubled • The service linking the south east and west coasts of Ireland has increased to two return workings per week.

New BR Mk.1 suburban coaches

First steps in TT by Heljan

Thameslink Class 319 • The Graham Farish Class 319 is the first brand new ‘N’ gauge D&E-era model to be released by Bachmann for some time and arrives hard on the heels of the Revolution Trains Class 320 reviewed in the May 2022 issue. How does the new Class 319 stack up?

Thameslink Class 319 • When Bachmann announced its brand new model of the Class 319 in 2017, the first sub-class comprising 60 Class 319/0s had been in service for 30 years. It has taken nearly five years for the new model to appear, in which time the Class 319 has ceased to be a feature of cross-London Thameslink services.

You can win super rail prizes • Fancy winning a super Hornby model, or enjoying a riveting railway read this summer? Here at Rail Express we’ve got some superb prizes which must be won... and all you have to do is find the words in our...