Features
-
Remembering British Rail’s Class 03 Shunters
Posted
by
Small, characterful and often overlooked, British Rail’s Class 03 shunters played a vital role across the network, quietly breaking up the visual and operational monotony of the more numerous Class 08s. Though diminutive in stature, the 03s proved themselves to be remarkably capable machines and became a familiar sight in yards, docks and stations across…
-
Transformation at Sunderland: How a Modern Station Took Shape in 1966
Posted
by
Sixty years ago, Sunderland was in the midst of one of the most significant railway redevelopments in its history, as British Railways’ North Eastern Region completed a major modernisation of Sunderland Central Station. An article published in the January 1966 issue of The Railway Magazine detailed how decades of incremental change culminated in the opening…
-
Oil Rescues Rail: How North Sea Energy Kept Highland Railways Alive in 1976
Posted
by
In January 1976, Britain’s expanding North Sea oil industry was already reshaping the nation’s railways — and nowhere was that impact clearer than in the Scottish Highlands. An article published in The Railway Magazine that month revealed how the construction of offshore drilling platforms at Loch Kishorn was generating vital freight traffic for the Inverness–Kyle…
-
January 1975: A Class 40 Battles the Storm — One Night on the Footplate in a Scottish Deluge
Posted
by
In January 1975, The Railway Magazine published a vivid first-hand account of what it was like to work a diesel locomotive through extreme weather on Scotland’s west coast. Written by Derek Cross, the piece captures an unforgettable night spent on the footplate of a Class 40 during violent rain, gale-force winds and near-zero visibility. The…
-
January 1960 article: How British Railways Fought Extreme Winter Weather to Keep Trains Running
Posted
by
In January 1960, Britain’s railways were once again battling one of their greatest recurring enemies: severe winter weather. An article published in The Railway Magazine that month, written by M. Harbottle, District Engineer (Inverness), Scottish Region, provides a detailed insight into how British Railways planned for, responded to, and survived heavy snowfall in some of…
-
January 1959: Inside British Railways’ New Type 2 Diesel Locomotives and the Technology Shaping the Future
Posted
by
In January 1959, Britain’s railway modernisation programme was gathering momentum. Among the most significant developments of the period was the introduction of a new generation of Type 2 mixed-traffic diesel-electric locomotives, designed to handle both passenger and freight duties across the network. The Railway Magazine reported on the delivery of twenty 1,200hp diesel-electric locomotives, numbered…
-
What’s Happening to… Nationwide Restoration and Maintenance Update
Posted
by
Britain’s preserved Class 56 diesel locomotives continue to benefit from extensive behind-the-scenes work as owners, volunteers and specialist contractors push forward with long-term restoration and maintenance programmes. This nationwide update, compiled by Pip Dunn, highlights progress across multiple heritage railways and depots. Bury 07013 At Bury, work has progressed incrementally following wheelset attention and inspections…
-
Ghost on the Footplate: A Chilling Railway Tale of Fate, Faith and a Watchful Guardian
Posted
by
As Britain’s railways transitioned from steam to diesel, not all change was mechanical. Some, it seems, was far more mysterious. Neil Taylor recounts a haunting Christmas Eve journey set against the backdrop of a rapidly disappearing railway world. Steam sheds stood silent, branch lines rusted into obsolescence, and Victorian stations were being cut down only…
-
Inside Track Railway Holidays’ 2026 programme
Posted
by
Inside Track Railway Holidays is shaping up for a standout year, with its 2026 itinerary promising one of the operator’s most varied and enticing programmes to date. A carefully curated selection of UK and European railway holidays is planned, combining classic rail travel with memorable destinations and relaxed, well-paced itineraries. Among the highlights is the…
-
Recreating the Past: Why Railway Photography Still Chases the Spirit of the 1980s
Posted
by
Railway photography has always been more than documentation. For many enthusiasts, it is about capturing a fleeting moment in time — preserving memories while also creating images that echo the atmosphere of a vanished railway era. In this reflective feature from Railways Illustrated (December 2025), photographer Chris Gee explores why recreating the look and feel…
From the history of steam through to 21st century rail transport news, we have titles that cater for all rail enthusiasts. Covering diesels, modelling, steam and modern railways, check out our range of magazines and fantastic subscription offers.
