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

Network Rail targets the effects of climate change from its CP7 funding

Key Department for Transport director general railway role goes to Alex Hynes

Daytime testing begins for Core Valley Line’s Class 756

Could additional Elizabeth line train order save Litchurch Lane?

West Coast Railways ‘The Jacobite’ returns …

Balfour Beatty Class 20s emerge

… as Locomotive Services Group launches ‘The West Highlander’

Investigation and repairs underway following Northern train derailment

Direct Rail Services confirms former TPE Class 68s to go off-lease

Network Rail begins £3.4m Glenfinnan Viaduct repair and refurbishment project

Railfreight Class 37 returns to the main line

IN BRIEF

Network Rail completes work on the £150m Hope Valley Railway Upgrade

Northern announces significant driver and conductor recruitment plans

TfW Class 230 reliability improvements transform its Borderlands line services

EMR plans £60m upgrading project for its Regional and Connect train fleets …

June estimate for resumption of train services to Stranraer

… as more Super Voyagers and entire fleet refurbishment is confirmed for CrossCountry

GWR Night Riveria sleeper trains return to full operation following Cornish signalling upgrade

A new era for Supertram

RAIB releases report into Bulwell NET tram derailment

Extensive works carried out on West Midlands Metro during 18-day engineering shutdown

IN BRIEF

Traction News DB Cargo identifies another 31 stored Class 60s for sale

Europhoenix fleet is boosted by additional Class 37s

First of 10 re-geared DB Cargo Class 66/6s enters traffic

Alstom Class 390 refurbishment project approaches completion

Shunter News

Unit News

Unit Focus

Wagon News

Livery Changes

Coaching Stock News

Naming Update

Setback as newly-restored EVR Class 14 suffers engine seizure

Heavy Tractor Group to assist with the restoration of 37108

Success! D1015 returns to main line passenger action

50007 to be repainted in Large Logo blue 40 years after GW150 transformation

Engine overhaul for A1A Locomotives’ Class 31

Peak Locomotive Company’s 45041 to steam again!

May: The month of big-hitter events!

GCR’s Class 153 takes to the rails

Peak Rail Class 108 makes its passenger debut

Change of plan for carriages used at Pitlochry railway-themed restaurant

IN BRIEF

Kent & East Sussex Railway celebrates event revival

Crewe Heritage Centre hosts Modern Image O Gauge Exhibition

EVR and Peak Rail collaboration sees return of second ‘Twin Peaks’ event

The East Lancashire Railway Western Region Weekend attracts the crowds

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

All change in Lochaber?

PICTORIAL

Fleet survey: Hitachi • As Avanti West Coast prepares to put its new Class 805s into traffic, Richard Clinnick rounds up the various Hitachi fleets in the use in Britain today.

Next-generation preservation • The InterCity 225 Class 91s and Mk.4 coaches were the last locomotive-hauled fleet to be built by British Rail in the late 1980s, but the surviving examples are now in the twilight period of...