Features 14 The end of WSMR

With the demise of Wrexham & Shropshire, we ask whether there is a future for ‘minnows’ in open access operations. 18 The Storming Standard Fives

In part one of a two-part Practice & Performance, Keith Farr looks at a fleet of locos often overlooked by historians.

29 SouthEastern, Far Eastern

Paul Bickerdyke visits the Hitachi depot at Ashford, where maintenance benefits from both Japanese and British harmony. 34 On Parallel Lines

A new book featuring unseen photos of BR steam has just been published, and the cornucopia of images is previewed by The RM.

40 Ghost Trains

Mark Chatterton investigates the ‘ghost trains’ that appear in the National timetable creating a railway ‘twilight’ zone. 49 Back Burners Update

The response to the stationary boilers feature has resulted in a wealth of new information coming to light and is collated by Nick Pigott.

AS GOOD AS A BRITANNIA? Standard Fives analysed - p18

STEAM REMEMBERED: From the footplate - p34

RAILWAY’S TWILIGHT ZONE: Timetabled ghost trains - p40

April 2011 • The Railway Magazine • 5