Contents September 2011. No. 1,325. Vol 157. A journal of record since 1897

Headline News

On the cover

MAIN IMAGE: Looking the part in its new Brunswick green livery, A1 No. 60163 Tornado gets the return ‘Torbay Express’ underway from Kingswear on July 10. NICK PRIORY

Paddington span four unveiled. See page 6

£5bn investment planned for Great Western; ‘Scotsman’ return delayed again; Passengers can pay more for online tickets; 50,000 sign Bombardier petition; Tube train plan for Harrogate; Peak Rail opens to Matlock.

INSET: GBRf’s new look Class 66 No. 66720 in the ‘night & day’ livery, sitting on the turntable at the Nene Valley Railway. See page 79. BOB SWEET

Track Record The Railway Magazine’s monthly news digest

62 Steam & Heritage Telford line closes after volunteer injury; Steam plan for Wensleydale; Fast-track overhaul for ‘Duchess’ No. 6233. 72 Railtours Drivers take on charity steam special; Stanier man creates A4 timing record; Outing for ‘Queen of Scots’. 78 Traction & Stock New‘Pendolino’ in service; GBRf shows off day-night livery; DRS holds successful open day’; Eurotunnel buys Class 92s.

84 Network Whitemoor recycling centre opens; Invensys wins London Bridge resignalling contract; Landmark goes. 86 Freight 89 Narrow Gauge Llanberis celebrates 40 years; Historic train on Welsh Highland; Wicksteed Park steam swansong.

91 Metro 92 Classic Traction Class 306 for main line return; Railbus trust formed.

Return for GWR 28XX at the Severn Valley. See page 68.

96 World Turkish high speed takes off; Saarbrucken tram-train expansion; Chinese steam update. 100 Operations News A round-up of news from the train and freight operating companies. 107 Traction Update Scrapped, repainted, named or sold? Full details here.

Regulars

42 Subscriptions Offer 53 Readers’ Platform Your lively letters page. 55 Panorama A selection of the best in railway photography in our monthly showcase. 108 Meetings Details of railway society meetings near you. 109 Heritage Diary A comprehensive listing of the dates when heritage railways and steam centres operating this summer.

Manchester Metro extension opens. See page 48.

113 Reader Services 114 Prize Crossword 114 Where Is It?

Above: REMEMBERING THORNABY: A remarkable aerial view of Thornaby depot, taken in August 1985. On the depot is motive power typical for the era - Classes 24, 31, 37 and 47 - as well as a Mk 3 carriage and DMUs undergoing maintenance. The depot was demolished last month. See feature on page 40. RICHARD WATSON

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RAIL TITLE! Subscribe today and save money on every issue Call 0844 411 1111 or see page 42 for our latest offers Features 14 End of train building in the UK? The RM looks at the cause and effect on Bombardier following the decision to give two train contracts worth £9bn to non-UK train manufacturers. 16 Interhub, Intermodal This month’s Practice & Performance sees John Heaton in the cab of a GBRf Class 66 working an intermodal service from Trafford Park to Barking. 22 How to drive a diesel Nick Pigott spends a day as ‘the pupil’ on a course that teaches you how to drive a diesel loco.

26 Scottish Steam Memories Born before the formation of the ‘Big Four’, former footplateman William Gilmour tells of just how tough life was working with steam in its heyday. 33 The Man in Seat 61 Nick Pigott meets the man whose advice through the website of the same name has helped thousands of passengers to confidently travel the world by rail. 38 Premier Performance Chris Milner looks at how Network Rail and operator East Coast are working together to improve performance.

40 Tribute to Thornaby Last month Thornaby depot was demolished. The RM presents its own tribute to a popular North East depot.

44 C Hamilton Ellis Robert Humm celebrates the life of a writer and artist who inspired thousands of enthusiasts.

51 Hand to Mouth The former communist country of Albania, with its mysterious railway system, is finalling moving into a more modern era, as Colin Boocock discovers.

IN CONTROL: Your handon the controller - p22

HARD KNOCK LIFE: Tough times on the footplate - p26 RIP THORNABY: Recollections of a diesel depot - p40

September 2011 • The Railway Magazine • 5