Well, it had to happen. Thanks to the team at the Spa Valley I can’t hide any more, as we now finally have a photo of the fizzog of yours truly on this page, poking out of 37 254, looking like the cat that has got the cream. Why? Because I was enjoying myself; my first time in the cab of a ‘Tractor’ and even better, my first ‘official’ ride in the cab along the length of the line. Even better, I got to do the same again the following day in a Class 73. Now I can see why those diesel driving days are so popular, why even main line drivers are prepared to pay over and over again to enjoy driving their favourite loco. You can read some more about my experiences on page 6. We have another diesel driving day at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway up for grabs this month on page 35 - why not give it a go? There will be another in the December issue - on the Spa Valley, so you too can beam from a 37’s window!

Next month’s magazine will follow another theme, as we’ll be concentrating on articles featuring black and white images. There’s something special about monochrome photos; yes, colour can give you the required information on how a loco actually appeared at a particular time (subject to deterioration of the pigments in the image), but only back and white can provide the level of detail required for those examining certain features on a loco or considering modelling. I hope you enjoy the selection, it was a difficult choice.

Please don’t forget our excellent subscription deal on page 50 we’ve never had a better offer!

Heavyweight Class 37/9, no. 37 718 leaves Stewartby in the early evening of Tuesday April 1, 1997 with the returning empties of the ‘Target 81’ ballast train, heading for Bletchley. See more photos of these workings in the next issue. John Maund

Publisher: John Greenwood Tel: 01778 391116 Editor: Richard Wilson Tel: 01778 392455 E-mail: richardw@warnersgroup.co.uk Fax: 01778 425437 Head of Design: 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

COVER: 37 015 departs from Platform 8 at Liverpool Street with the 14:36 to King’s Lynn on May 13, 1983. Michael Mercer

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.

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: The Editor, Traction Magazine, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne PE10 9PH.

2 TRACTION T192

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The November issue of TRACTION

is on sale onWednesday,

October 6th