Railway Realism
RAILWAY REALISM: BR’s visionary XP64 coaches
British Railways sought a radical reinvention of long-distance trains in the 1960s – and the famous XP64 coaches set a template that still resonates today, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES explains.
RAILWAY REALISM: Great Western Electrification
One of the most significant upgrades to the country’s railway in recent years has been electrification of the Great Western Main line from Paddington to South Wales and the West – but it had huge troubles, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES describes.
Class 50s go West
The distinctive Class 50s were perhaps at their best after being reallocated to the Western Region in the 1970s, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES describes.
Railway Signalling
Signalling is vital for the safe operation of the railway – and if correctly modelled it can help emphasise the period, region and realism of a model railway, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES describes.
Diesel Days at Westbury
A railway crossroads, Westbury has long been an important rail hub and remains a major centre for a varied selection of passenger and aggregate traffic, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES describes.
THE HIGHLAND MAIN LINE
Stretching across 118 spectacular miles, the Highland Main Line is a vital artery linking the Far North for more than 150 years, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES explains.
Class 47s’ Second Lives
The Class 47s have been displaced from front-line duties but still remain active on the main line on a surprising variety of alternative roles, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES explains.
The Dawlish Sea Wall
Few railway locations are as recognisable as the famous sea wall at Dawlish in Devon, where for a hundred years trains have done battle with the elements, sometimes in spectacular style. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES explains why this railway was built and what the future may hold for it.
What Next? LNER
Continuing his survey of the ‘Big Four’ railways, Trevor Jones picks out some ‘missing links’ of the LNER and constituents that could be modelled in ‘OO’ gauge.