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

The need for heritage line speed

Rail Express

EXPRESS

Barking Riverside branch opens early • New elevated station and double track viaduct are the latest heavy rail additions to the capital’s rail network.

Class 317s stood down by Greater Anglia • Fleet is reduced to contingency/cover work in advance of final withdrawal in July.

Network Rail appoints experts to extreme weather task force • Heavyweight independent specialists are brought in to counter criticism over weather-related disruption to the rail network.

Class 805 appears briefly

IN BRIEF

Bessie’s Bulletin

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:

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

DRS reveals final ‘heritage’ fleet sale, with 10 Class 37s offered on leaseback arrangement • The fourth and what is likely to be the final tender of older DRS motive power is the largest yet, covering all 12 surviving Class 37s and the sole remaining member of the Class 57/0 fleet.

Transport for Wales Class 153 refurbishments completed • The final 1980s-era units released from Landore.

Wascosa and GBRf show off new Network Rail wagon fleet • A selection of bright yellow wagons were on display at an event at London Victoria involving freshly repainted and newly named Wascosaliveried No. 66720.

ROG disposes of its last Mk.3s • More vehicles change hands as Rail Operations Group’s last coaches are purchased by ERS.

IN BRIEF

IN BRIEF

Diesels in demand • Heritage lines turn to diesel traction as a result of extreme hot weather conditions.

TfL funding agreement edges closer

RSS purchases Riviera Class 08s • Two more shunters have joined the hire company’s fleet as an NSE-liveried sister is deployed to Bescot.

NEWS ROUND-UP

GM 071 Class dominate Irish freight workings • Irish Rail has returned a long-awaited member of the fleet to service after lengthy repairs.

2022 DEMU Showcase announcements

Avocet to fly in ‘OO’

New freight arrivals in ‘OO’ gauge • Accurascale and sister company Irish Railway Models (IRM) have delivered quite a range of freight related models in July, including coal, cement and specialised mineral wagons.

A new ‘N’ gauge Class 90 at last!

Accurascale’s Deltic delight • The stakes for Accurascale were high, with expectations for its ‘OO’ gauge Deltic model being driven by the constant updates on its development on social media. Now, it has landed and five-star reviews abound for this first locomotive from the company. How did it stand up to our rigorous review process?

‘EM’ and ‘P4’ wheel sets for the Accurascale Deltic • Whilst not strictly a first for 4mm scale, the finescale drop-in wheel set option developed by Accurascale for its Class 55 locomotive model is a welcome step in the right direction. We show how this development can make ‘EM’ and ‘P4’ modelling more accessible.

Impressive ‘Presflo’ in ‘O’ • The BR Diagram 1/272 ‘Presflo’ is the first ‘O’ gauge model to be produced by...