‘Deltic’ D9016 Gordon Highlander with Class 47 No.D1501 on the East Lancashire Railway, arriving at Ramsbottom on Saturday, January 9, 2010, with the 13:29 departure to Bury. ANDY SMITH

Welcome to the March edition of TRACTION, is it really a month since I edited my first magazine? That means we’re only one month away from the April relaunch. There’s been a lot of things said about what is planned, both negative and positive, but I trust you’ll find the newlook TRACTION a positive development of all that’s best in this magazine.

To recap, for those who have not heard about what’s happening, there will be more pages, giving plenty of space for more news, more photos and some new features as well as room for more of the articles that make this such a unique read. There will also be the return of the full TRACTION Modelling supplement, providing space for layouts, product reviews and other modelling matters, while still retaining ‘the classic diesels & electrics’ element that is our sole purpose. All this will be enclosed within a high quality cover - a first for us!

There’s been quite a lot of work going on in the background to develop TRACTION for the future and we all hope it provides additional interest and value without losing sight of any of the valuable elements that go to make up the content that is, as always, exclusive to this publication.

So, have I managed to convince any of you to take out a subscription yet? Do take a look at page 38! The more of you that sign up, the more we can provide in the future. If you like reading about historic diesel and electric traction; you’ll not find similar anywhere else, we’ve always brought you the best in reminiscences, drivers’ recollections, railtour histories and other events and will continue to do so.

Talking of which, we can’t bring you the best of everything without the valuable articles from our contributors, gentlemen and ladies, I thank you! Do still keep sending them in - the TRACTION archive can never have too many features - something which will become even more important with the extra pages in the new-look magazine.

The countdown begins...

Contents

4 Double Arrow Dutch

Holidays in the UK drew Netherlander Jack Brands to our fascinating motive power 8 My take on the ‘Tribute’

Chris Fox’s recollections of the final ‘official’ tour by the ‘Westerns’ 10 ‘Deltic’ Downfall

The end of the Class 55 era as recalled by Ian McCart 12 Class 47 Update

Still here and going strong, Parrot brings us up to date with the duties of the class. 17 Deep and Crisp and Even

This month’s selection from Al Pulford and he’s out in the snow 22 Blue at Beverley

Some of the fascinating services passing through as seen by Eddie Parker 30 A Snowy Sunday at Barrow Hill

Ian Harrison recalls winter 1978 at this well known location 36 NRM on Tour

A very unusual working captured by Richard Giles 41 Heritage Update

More snow scenes and the Workington ‘floodexs’ 44 TPO

More of your mail and photographs 46 Skinhead Silhouette

Tom Braund hits Exmouth after dark 48 Traction Modelling

What’s new for 2010 from Hornby plus new models from ViTrains and Bachmann. 54 Knightwing’s Sentinel

Paul Bason introduces this fascinating kit and its motorisation.

Publisher: John Greenwood Tel: 01778 391116 Editor: Richard Wilson Tel: 01778 391160 E-mail: richardw@warnersgroup.co.uk Fax: 01778 425437 Consulting Editor: David Brown (contact via the TRACTION office) Head of Design & Production: Jayne Thorpe Editorial Design: Ryan Housden Group Advertisement Manager: Patrick Raphael Sisko Tel: 01778 391114 E-mail: patsisko@warnersgroup.co.uk

Sales Executive: Jane Cottam Tel: 01778 395002 E-mail: janec@warnersgroup.co.uk Production Secretary: Amie Carter Tel: 01778 392435 E-mail: amiec@warnersgroup.co.uk Ad Design: Sarah Machin E-mail: sarahm2@warnersgroup.co.uk Editorial Secretary: Jean Waterfall Tel: 01778 392073 E-mail: jeanw@warnersgroup.co.uk Back Issues, Reader Offers: Tel: 01778 391180 A full list of available Back Issues appears on our website: www.traction.co.uk

Published by: Warners Group Publications plc, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH.

Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Editor or Publisher. All material submitted to TRACTION, whether photographic or written, is sent at the owner’s risk. Although every care will be taken, the Publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage, however caused. A stamped, SAE should be enclosed with all submissions.

COVER: 31 285 passes through Exeter St Thomas in the snow at the rear of the structure gauging train en route to Truro. STACEY THEW

THE APRIL ISSUE IS ON-SALE MARCH 3 • PRICE £3.75 • TO SUBSCRIBE SEE PAGE 38

March 2010

www.traction.co.uk

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