Rail Express

RAIL EXPRESS is Britain's favourite modern rail enthusiast title. Undoubtedly the best for modern traction photography, the magazine keeps readers informed and entertained with undiluted coverage of Britain's railways in the diesel and electric era. First produced in 1996, RE has set a new standard for the hobby, with a clean design, high quality paper and the best reproduction. January 2008 saw the magazine relaunched in an innovative 'supersize' format, showing off the ground-breaking contents to the best advantage. Every issue includes news and analysis covering the present day railway scene, plus the latest preservation developments. Also inside: RAIL EXPRESS Modeler - Diesel & Electric era modeling magazine

Rail Express

Rail minister launches GBRf Class 99s • Ten locos to be fitted with ETS for passenger work.

MML electrification and Dawlish resilience work paused

Refreshed EMR Class 158 in traffic

EMD completes final Class 69 conversion • Just under four-and-a-half years since No. 69001 departed the EMD/Progress Rail works at Longport, out of sequence No. 69015, the last of the planned 16 rebuilds, has finally made its own maiden run on the national network.

More ‘730/2’ sets enter service • First passenger workings to Liverpool take place.

Nemesis Rail Mk.3 stock sees main line use • Former Greater Anglia coaches back in action.

Powerscene • Our authoritative class-by-class review of newsworthy locomotive workings.

Class 31 partnership comes to an end • Decline in volunteers leads to restoration agreement being terminated.

Diesel gala pictorial • The month of July has seen diesel galas at the East Lancashire, Mid-Hants and Kent & East Sussex railways. Here’s a pictorial selection from those events.

Mixed fortunes for repowered ‘08s’ • Two of the rebuilt hybrid shunters star at Derby’s Greatest Gathering, but future of a third loco looks in serious doubt..

Ministry of Defence scraps ‘Warflat’ and ‘Warwell’ fleet • Stalwarts of military vehicle trains for almost 50 years – or around 85 years in the case of the KWAs – the MoD has retired its life-expired vehicle carriers with no plans to replace them.

A brilliant Brush Type 4 to come?

Hornby TT:120 gains momentum

More Class 50s and Mk.2 coaches announced

Nifty ‘Fifty’ from Accurascale • Long in development but not short in detail, Accurascale’s Class 50 is finally delivered. Was it worth the wait?

A brand-new ‘puggy’ from Bachmann • A high specification replica with lights and advanced electronics replaces Bachmann’s old Class 08 model

Hornby revamps its original format 4-VEP • Two models representing the 4-VEP prior to the 1990s MBSO modifications have arrived in the shops. Where do they fit into a third rail layout theme?

Tremendous ‘Tug’ from Cavalex • Class 60s match the range of modern air-braked wagons being produced by Cavalex Models, including the BBA and TEA tank wagon.

Any takers for Mendip Rail JNAs?

The Glory Days of the Class 37/4s • It’s 40 years since the first Class 37/4 with electric train heating, fitted as part of a refurbishment programme, was released by Crewe Works. In the first of a two-part feature, Andy Flowers looks at the conversion and their workings.

Tour operators vie to target unvisited locations • Innovative railtour itineraries are on the increase to win over passengers.

It really was… THE GREATEST GATHERING • Alstom’s Litchurch Lane Works, Derby, has been the focus of a three-day event to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the modern railway which attracted thousands of visitors to this once-in-a-generation celebration. Rail Express reports.

Multiple working test for trio of preserved GMs

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