Railways Illustrated

The best coverage of today's railway scene. Each issue of Railways Illustrated offers a comprehensive round-up of the latest news and topical events from the UK across the present-day railway, including heritage traction in operation on the main lines. Railways Illustrated reflects the energy and vitality of the present-day railway scene.

Welcome

Railways Illustrated

More new stations are opened

TPE says goodbye to its Class 68s and Nova 3s

Rail industry remembers the Clapham Junction crash on 35th anniversary of fatal collision

Alstom consults on redundancies as Derby’s order book remains empty

New subway trains enter service on Glasgow’s ‘Clockwork Orange’

TPE Class 185 promotes the work of men’s suicide prevention charity

Limited train services return to Ayr following fire

IN BRIEF

Network Rail completes £30m restoration of Barmouth Viaduct

East-West moves for Northern Class 331s

GWR looks to new trains to replace ageing fleet

IN BRIEF

Long-running RMT dispute is settled

ASLEF changes tack in its ongoing pay dispute

Passengers finally return to London Northwestern’s Marston Vale line

IN BRIEF

GWR fast-charging D-Train Greenford trial to start soon

Dartmoor Line celebrates success on second anniversary of route revival

DB Cargo clarifies its position on charter train operations

Merseyrail rolls back the years on pioneer Class 507

IN BRIEF

National Railway Heritage Awards 2023

National Railway Heritage Awards 2023 shortlisted entries

More Revolution VLR vehicles are ordered by Eversholt Rail

Nottingham Express Transit begins fare evasion crackdown

West Midlands Metro Urbos 100 order completed

IN BRIEF

Re-geared Class 66s to allow DB Cargo to withdraw its remaining Class 60s

Europhoenix boosts its Class 37 fleet

Castle continuation is confirmed by GWR

Former Network Rail Class 73s find new homes

Avanti’s Hitachi Class 805 introduction is delayed

Shunter News

Unit News

Unit Focus

Wagon News

Livery Changes

Coaching Stock News

Naming Update

Class 56 Group states intention to sell 56301 to DC Rail in April

31106 heads to the scrapyard after rising costs stall rebuilding project

Busy year in prospect for privately-owned Class 86

Preservation success for CDA china clay wagons

2024 diesel calendar gets off to a low-key start

Pioneer Diesel Locomotive Group’s Peak restarted

Bluebell Pullman restoration nears completion

IN BRIEF

SETG launches new fundraising appeal towards 4VEP main line return works

DMU Group (West Midlands) Class 108 returns to Severn Valley action

The 142055 Group seeking a new home

Inaugural meeting held by the Class 507 Preservation Society

What’s happening to… • Our monthly round-up of restoration projects around the country, compiled by Pip Dunn.

DB job losses affect charters

PICTORIAL

Fleet survey: The Aventras • As the latest Aventras enter traffic, Richard Clinnick examines the electric multiple unit family which has been beset with delays.

New life for old locomotives • In July 2023 work began on the extraction of the 16 stored Freightliner Class 86/6 electric locomotives from Crewe Basford Hall, in preparation for a new life in Bulgaria. Anthony Sayer provides the story behind this fascinating project that will see some of these British-built locomotives reactivated for further use in Eastern Europe.

The colourful Class 60s • In the second part of his photographic study of the various colour schemes carried by the popular Class 60s, Ian Edmondson...