Grab the brand-new December issue of Railways Illustrated magazine for the best coverage of today’s railway scene.
The Highland Line in the 1980s
In 1980, the Highland Main Line from Perth to Inverness used loco hauled trains. Class 40s and pairs of Type 2s were on the way out, to be replaced by Class 47s, although the ‘old order’ appeared from time to time, plus interlopers like 20s, 25, 27s and 37s. Ian McLean looks back at operations on this scenic railway in the early 1980s.
A Gallivanting Princess
From the introduction of the Class 47s until the mid-1970s, Scotland only had nine of the type allocated to it. One has gone on to have a very varied career and is still with us today; 47593 Galloway Princess. Pip Dunn looks back at its history.
Calling time on the pools panel
Our final feature looking at the history of sectors and pool codes focuses on the privatised era. Starting with the EWS pool changes of 1998 and the mass of new sectors from the likes of Freightliner, DRS, GBRf, they evolved to cater for a host of other companies still operating locos on freight and passenger trains.
There’s a ‘Rat’ in the yard!
Class 25s were nicknamed ‘Rats’ because – so it seemed – they got everywhere! Using pictures from the Paul Robertson collection, we look back at the popular little Sulzer Type 2s at work in the BR blue era.
