Well, hopefully you’ve all had a chance to see and comment on last month’s issue. I’ve had some excellent feedback concerning the changes made and almost all has been positive. It’s made the hard work put in, especially by our designer Ryan, more than worthwhile. Please do keep the comments coming in, we need to keep focused on what you’re looking for in these pages; admittedly we can’t satisfy everybody every month, but will try to keep a good balance of not just historical features, but those concerning the plight of the heritage locomotive on today’s modern railway. With a nod in this direction, following the excellent work by ‘Parrot’ on keeping us informed of the current status of the Class 47 (would you believe there are more running now than a year or so ago?), appearing from next month’s issue on an occasional basis will be Daffyd Williams’ appraisal of the current status of the Class 31. With our railway system gradually moving away from British-built locos and heading down the GM road, it can only be a matter of time before the remainder of this class are no longer with us, though it may be later rather than sooner! While on the subject of June’s TRACTION, we’ll be dedicating a large part of it to that marine engine powered, racehorse (or Scottish regiment) named, ECML dominating class that can only be the ‘Deltics’. Reserve you copy now - or why not take out a subscription? If you like what you see, we’ll consider doing the same for other diesel and electric classes.

I’m currently returning material that has been used in past issues of the magazine. If you’ve not been in touch and your material has been featured but not sent back, do let me know, as I’ve had a number of items returned due to incorrect addressing and, as you’ll appreciate with registered post, this can be expensive.

60 096 is spotted on 6E41, the WesterleighLindsey empty tanks, approaching Vigo on the bank, Thursday February 11, 2010. Steve Burdett

Publisher: John Greenwood Tel: 01778 391116 Editor: Richard Wilson Tel: 01778 391160 E-mail: richardw@warnersgroup.co.uk Fax: 01778 425437 Head of Design & Production: Jayne Thorpe Editorial Design: Ryan Housden Ad Design: Sarah Machin Production Secretary: Pat Price Tel: 01778 391115 E-mail: patp@warnersgroup.co.uk Brand Manager: Nilla Short Tel: 01778 392057 E-mail: nillas@warnersgroup.co.uk

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 Editorial Secretary: Jean Waterfall Tel: 01778 392073 E-mail: jeanw@warnersgroup.co.uk Back Issues and 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 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.

2 TRACTION T187

COVER: 27 010 leaves Burntisland with the 08.17 Edinburgh Dundee service, on August 13, 1982. www. railphotoprints. co.uk - John Chalcraft

We’re always looking for contributions to make TRACTION an even better read. If you can write about your experiences or history of the days before the railways became sanitised, or have some photographs of the period, whether black & white or colour, we’d love to hear from you! We can accept photos in all formats, from transparencies to digital media, though if emailing, please initially send small images. Send to: Richard Wilson, TRACTION Magazine, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne PE10 9PH.

In the next issue...

‘DELTIC’ DELIGHT We dedicate a section of next month’s magazine to these iconic ECML machines

CLASS 31 ROUNDUP Daffyd Williams provides an overview of the remaining members of the class that are still in service TOTON TODAY Johnathan McGurk’s exclsuive photographic tour round DB

Schenker’s depot.

The June issue of TRACTION is on sale onWednesday, May 5 5 News and heritage update

What’s happening on the national network and preserved railways with heritage traction. 8 D&E Decades

Another look back in time 11 Foray into Fife

John Chalcraft’s photographic expedition which took him from south to north 20 Working with Canton’s 37s

A recollection of depot days in Cardiff by Steve Morris

26 Open day at Horton Road

In and around this Gloucester depot with the camera of Wayne Finch 31 Modelling news

What’s new in the world of TRACTION-era models plus a preview of DEMU’s Showcase 34 Round Robin

Nigel Burkin details ViTrains’ Colas Rail and DRS Class 47s 33 Super Sentinel

Paul Bason builds and motorises the Knightwing kit 48 Gallery

This month’s selection of superb heritage images

55 Les ‘Tracteurs’

Al Pulford’s photographic foray following the 37s on TGV line construction in France 58 Underground island

The unique rolling stock on the Isle of Wight is examined by the lens of Jeremy de Souza 66 TPO

Your feedback from last month’s magazine and more 69 Reviews

The usual in-depth look at the latest in books and DVDs

May 2010 3