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

Full Crossrail network finally opens

East West Rail route proposals published

First Castle for scrap

Class 720/6s to enter traffic in autumn

Government takes over TransPennine Express

New section of Dawlish sea wall opened

DRS reshuffles ahead of Class 37 and ‘57’ departures • DRS makes necessary preparations to reduce size of its heritage fleet.

Two more HST power cars for Colne Valley • Fleet expands to five with the addition of two power cars from Ely

Class 313s bow out after 47 years • The last ‘313s’ are withdrawn by Southern

‘Other priorities’ cause LU 4TC to miss charters • Transport for London confirms train is now ready for main line use.

Hanson & Hall becomes Britain’s newest passenger operator • Regulator awards the operator of Thunderer and a rake of Mk.3s a passenger operator licence.

WH Davis releases first of 10 water equipped MRAs • WH Davis installs new dust suppression system on Network Rail MRAs.

Eastern Rail Services buys more Mk.3s • Former DATS stock moved to Great Yarmouth

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

Process to replace Enterprise fleet begins • Plans for new fleet to enter traffic from 2027.

RSS names ‘08’ after ShunterSpot owner • Class 08 named at Wishaw after the owner of the influential forum.

DC Rail – building Britain’s mega projects • It may be the smallest railfreight operator, but DC Rail is playing a key role in not only building major projects but in how the sector is operating, as Cappagh Group director of rail David Fletcher tells Richard Clinnick.

Change afoot on the railway as TPE is nationalised and GBR is under threat • Industry Witness examines the possible demise of planned rail reform, Government taking back control of TransPennine Express and Network Rail’s £44 billion spending plan.

MTR continues with innovation beyond Elizabeth line • MTR operates the Elizabeth line on behalf of Transport for London but does so much more, and is bringing new ways of thinking to the railway as Richard Clinnick discovers.

The moment London has been waiting for • Elizabeth line director Howard Smith tells Richard Clinnick about the journey of Britain’s newest railway to this point, and what the future holds.

Severn Valley Railway’s stunning success • The Severn Valley Railway held its Spring Diesel Festival on May 18-21, featuring a mixture of visiting traction from main line operators and other lines, and resident locomotives. Richard Clinnick presents a selection of images from the event.

REVIEWS

Simon Kohler bows out after forty years with Hornby

Cornish Class 37s for Kernow MRC

Accurascale Siphon G: a van of many guises • After establishing its coaching stock credentials with Mk.5 and Mk.5a stock, Accurascale delivers what modellers consider to be the best ‘OO’ gauge Siphon G model so far.

Class A 35t tank wagon

Examining Hornby’s new ‘TT’ Mk.1...