Eastern Region
Gresley's 'P2' 2-8-2
One of the most spectacular designs of the steam era was Gresley’s huge semi-streamlined express ‘P2’ 2-8-2. However due to mechanical problems these locomotives never realised their full potential and saw less than 10 years service before they were extensively rebuilt, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES explains.
British Railways’ War of the diesels
One of British Railways most controversial decisions was to standardise on electric, rather than hydraulic transmission for diesel locomotives. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES looks at the background to this choice and and assesses whether it was correct.
Reality Check: 'Whistler' magic
It is hard to believe that 50 years have passed since the first of British Railways’ large diesel locomotives were introduced. The English Electric Type 4, or Class 40 as it later became, was one of the success stories of the modernisation plan. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES looks back at the design’s history.
Modelling preserved steam
With the popularity of heritage railways and main line steam continuing to grow, RICHARD HALL demonstrates how to recreate this often-overlooked modelling subject, by modifying and detailing a Hornby ‘B1’ into a preserved example.
Bachmann renews its ‘V2’ for 'OO' gauge
The Gresley ‘V2’ has been a longstanding part of the Bachmann range, but it was in need of fresh attention and that is exactly what has happened. MIKE WILD inspects the all-new LNER 2-6-2 for ‘OO’.
Reality Check: The LNER 'V2' 2-6-2
Locomotives designed primarily for freight work in general do not attract the same interest as those intended for express passenger traffic, but one exception is the handsome ‘V2’ 2-6-2 of the LNER , designed by Sir Nigel Gresley. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES delves into the history of this iconic class to mark the arrival of Bachmann’s all-new ‘OO’ model.
Foldham, 'OO'
Foldham is set in the end of the steam period with the old order gradually being taken over by new diesel traction. The layout is placed in the Norfolk and Suffolk coast area, on the Eastern section of the Eastern Region of British Railways.
On Great Eastern Lines - Passenger
TIM SHACKLETON looks at some of the many and varied passenger classes that worked in East Anglia in steam days, from tiny ‘Buckjumpers’ to the mighty ‘Britannias’.
BR’s first Sulzer Type 2
British Railways’ Class 24 diesel was, as intended, a very able all-round locomotive, but design flaws and changing traffic patterns meant a relatively short life with the last of them being withdrawn more than 40 years ago, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES relates.