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

Sorry seems to be the hardest word

Rail Express

EXPRESS

CrossCountry celebrates HST milestone • A special HST, including a power car used in the inaugural ‘125’ Cross Country service, runs to the SVR to celebrate over 40 years’ operation on this key route.

Bond Street Elizabeth Line opening announced • The final station of the long-running, much-delayed Crossrail project is due to open to the public on October 24.

New entrant to rail express parcels market • Despite challenging operating conditions, Varamis Rail has secured an operating licence to run parcels trains.

Class 68s reach Far North!

IN BRIEF

Bessie’s Bulletin

THE GEN: THE JOLLY FISHERMAN

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

GBRf disposes of spares donors ‘ED’ 73134 and ‘Grid’ 56106 • News from GB Railfreight is usually oriented around new additions to the operator’s fleet, but September saw two long-term ‘Christmas trees’ consigned for scrap.

Last Class 322s sent for scrap • Original Stansted Express EMUs, which numbered just five in total, are all disposed of.

Big developments with box wagon fleets • Land Recovery, Network Rail and GB Railfreight bogie boxes are all making headlines this month.

Stored HST stock at Ely in decline • Latest departures mean there are now less than 30 coaches awaiting disposal at the Cambridgeshire holding point.

IN BRIEF

IN BRIEF

COACH NEWS

CFPS agrees three-year hire deal with Severn Valley Railway • ‘Whistler’ No. 40106 to remain at the heritage line until 2025.

IN BRIEF

IN BRIEF

One funding agreement and one resignation at Transport for London • An 18-month funding deal for TfL was finally agreed at the same time as the organisation revealed it is to lose a key figurehead.

Freightliner doubles up at Ipswich VMF • The provision of two Class 08s at the new maintenance facility looks to be permanent after the latest exchange of orange shunters.

NEWS ROUND-UP

New ICR DMU intermediate cars reach Ireland • The first batches of Korean-built vehicles have arrived in Dublin.

Boom time for ‘N’ gauge

Rail freight in ‘N’

New loads for the Accurascale PFA

Return of Warley

Bachmann renews its Class 37 • A brand-new English Electric Type 3 locomotive is the latest in Bachmann’s programme to retool its older ‘OO’ gauge diesel locomotive models. A classic BR-era locomotive, No. 37034, is one of a batch of six different models released during the summer and autumn. How does this blue machine measure up?

Hornby’s ambitious InterCity 225 project • Accurate InterCity 225 trains are re-created in ‘OO’ gauge by Hornby in an extensive programme of tooling work including detailed rolling stock and the recently reviewed Class 91 locomotives. Our attention now turns to the Mk.4 coaching stock and Driving Van Trailers.

SE&CR Diagram 1559 25t brake van

Autumn brings shorter days, slippy leaves and Rail Head Treatment...