Subscriptions to Traction
Full refund within 30 days if you're not completely satisfied.
page:
contents page
previous next
zoom out zoom in
thumbnails double page single page large double page
fit width
clip to blog
Call +441778392073 Send email to patsisko@warnersgroup.co.uk Go to page 26 Call +441778391116 Send email to jeanw@warnersgroup.co.uk Call +441778392455 Send email to patp@warnersgroup.co.uk Go to page 50 Go to page 6 Call +441778391115 Call +441778391114 Go to page 35 Send email to nillas@warnersgroup.co.uk Call +441778392057 Call +441778391180 Call +441778395002 Look up postcode PE10 9PH Look up postcode PE10 9PH Open www.traction.co.uk Call +441778425437 Send email to janec@warnersgroup.co.uk Send email to richardw@warnersgroup.co.uk click to zoom in Go to page 35 Go to page 43 Go to page 5 Go to page 17 Go to page 27 Go to page 8 Go to page 48 Go to page 20 Go to page 56 Go to page 49 Go to page 51 Go to page 32 Go to page 46 Go to page 36 Go to page 11 click to zoom in
page:
contents page
previous next
zoom out zoom in
thumbnails double page single page large double page
fit width
clip to blog

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

In the next issue...

���������������������������������������������������������������������������������

�������������������������������

�������������

��������� ������������������������

��������������

� ����������������������������������������

�������������������������������

������������������������

������������ ����������������������������

���������������

������������������ �����������������������������

��������������������

��������

����������� ����

Formoredetails-seepage26

������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

������������������������������������������������������������

����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

�����������������������������������������������������

����������������������

����������������������

����������������� �����

������������������������

������������������������

������� ����������� ������

��

The November issue of TRACTION

is on sale onWednesday,

October 6th 5 News

The editor reports back on his experiences at the Spa Valley’s Diesel Gala 8 D&E decades

Another step back in time 11 Life as a loco controller

The second part of Michael Mercer’s account of his time in Room 101 17 Ribble Valley diversions

Alan Whitaker’s photographic account of express diversions captured at some cost! 20 The fable of Fearless

Having kept a very low profile of late, Andy Coward brings us up to date with 50 050

27 Baltic diesel scene

Something a bit different Steve Morris introduces us to the Latvian scene 32 Gallery 35 Diesel driving competition

Your chance to win a day on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway driving one of their diesel locomotives 36 Musician on the line

The sweet music in Andrew Burke’s life as a student was not just at the Royal Academy 43 Class 31 review

Daffyd Whyles takes another look at the 31 fleet in use today

46 TPO

Your emails and letters published 48 Reviews

The latest books and DVDs 49 Modelling news

Future models of LMS twins - again! 51 The other 47 851

A smaller version of our namesake loco. Hopefully John Thompson’s 5” model doesn’t give as many headaches! 56 When things go bump in the yard

Nigel Burkin explains how he repaired two ‘Gronks’ which were the vicitims of accidental damage

October 2010 3