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.

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Railways Illustrated

Royal Mail calls time on its Class 325 EMUs

All change following Labour’s July general election victory

EMR releases images of refurbished fleet interiors

New Class 60 servicing contract agreed between DCRail and UKRL

Union pay dispute leads to ScotRail introducing a temporary timetable

Locomotive Services’ West Highland Pullman HST emerges

Direct Rail Services Kingmoor depot open day raises £65,000 for charities

Modified TransPennine Express Hitachi Class 802/2 set to begin main line battery testing

IN BRIEF

London Northwestern seeks to extend services to Manchester

Ocean Network Express to use HVO fuel for all its Freightliner rail services

End of an era: GB Railfreight delivers final coal to Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station ahead of closure

Railway Benefit Fund’s June fundraising activities are boosted by more than £90,000 from events

The first refurbished SWR Class 458/4s enter service

GWR introduces Shania Train for iconic singer’s UK concerts

Govia Thameslink Railway to tackle antisocial behaviour on its network

Island Line to close again for essential maintenance

Job done! Alstom, Angel and Avanti celebrate Pendolino refurbishment

Open access operator Heathrow Express secures a renewed Track Access Agreement

LRSSB highlights pedestrian safety around UK tramways

Metrolink tram promotes the Coronation Street Experience

West Midlands Metro prepares for return of ticket vending machines

Alstom and Nottingham Express Transit launches ‘trambow’ on Incentro tram

Record-breaking month for Metrolink

IN BRIEF

IN THE LANDSCAPE

HNRC and Swietelsky sign locomotive hire contract

58023 edges closer to a return to service following axle replacement

NYMR appoints new CEO

BLS organises Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway trip hauled by rare Class 20

Wensleydale Railway seeks to return trains to Redmire

DEPG D1010 Western Campaigner rebuild reaches important milestone

Unique Class 89 commissioning is completed

Charity Class 37 charter organised on SVR

IN BRIEF

August diesel enthusiasts events book-end the month

Visiting locomotives attract the gala crowds

West Somerset Railway Association seeks £180,000 towards Class 115 DMU overhaul

Crowdfunder launched to assist bodywork overhaul of Mid-Hants Railway ‘Hampshire’ Thumper DEMU 1125

New life for Class 508 training vehicle?

ELR completes its fourth blue and grey Mk.1 coach

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

SRPS and Locomotive Services partnership is a game changer for Mk.1s

PICTORIAL

Fleet survey: DRS Class 37s • Direct Rail Services has sold its final Class 37s, with those last locomotives now delivered to their new owners. Richard Clinnick surveys what happened to the 65 locomotives once owned by DRS and where they are today.

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Keep on growling! • As one of our longest-established Class 37 preservationists, the Growler Group is marking two significant anniversaries with a special fundraising running day on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway on August 16. Andy Coward met up with Gareth Arlett to find out more about the group and the two locomotives...