British Rail ‘PEP’ Electric Multiple Unit story
Rarely modelled, but part of the railway scene now for almost 50 years, the British Rail ‘PEP’ family of EMUs is now reaching the end of its service life. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES takes a look at the interesting history of this group of influential but often overlooked trains.
The LNER ‘G5’ 0-4-4Ts
One of the most successful Victorian-era passenger tank engines was the North Eastern Railway’s ‘O’ class, which became the LNER’s ‘G5’ and lasted for more than 50 years in service. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES charts the history of a fleet so well designed it never needed any substantial upgrades during its service life.
Reality Check: The Great Eastern’s ‘J15’ 0-6-0s
Many good locomotive designs were born out of necessity rather than a desire to progress science, and few more so than the humble ‘J15’ 0-6-0s which served the East of England well for more than 70 years, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES explains.
Level Crossings
Level crossings are one of the common features on model railways, but few represent the diversity of styles which existed on the national system, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES discovered.
The evolution of the railway carriage
From an open truck fitted with hard seats to a 140mph air-conditioned vehicle the British Railway carriage has come a long way in less than two centuries, yet it is surprising how long many features from those early years actually survived, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES relates.
Third-rail Electrification
The south of England’s pioneering third-rail electrified railway system has served the country well for more than a century, and after a long pause could yet be extended. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES looks at the history of this innovative and important system.
A4’s in Preservation
It is now 57 years since the last of Sir Nigel Gresley’s famous ‘A4s’ were taken out of service yet six survive, with one still active on the main line. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES looks at the preservation years of what will always be remembered as the ‘Streaks’.
The Great Eastern Jazz Trains
Intensive suburban passenger workings are a feature of many great stations, but perhaps one of the most efficient in steam days were the ‘Jazz Trains’ of the Great Eastern Railway’s London Liverpool Street terminus. These intensive steam workings established a frequency of service that many thought impossible to achieve, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES describes.
Developing the diesel shunter
Amazingly, the diesel shunter has been around now for more than 90 years. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES looks at its development and shows how it can be incorporated into layouts set from pre-nationalisation days onwards.
The Billinton LBSCR ‘E4’ 0-6-2T
Throughout the history of the railway many locomotive classes have made an invaluable contribution to providing services, yet have remained largely out of the limelight. One such design was the Brighton built ‘E4’ 0-6-2T, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES relates.