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

Hitachi delivers its 300th train for the UK passenger rail sector

Main line testing begins for TPE battery-powered Class 802

New maintenance hub opened by GB Railfreight at Tonbridge

The end approaches for the Merseyrail Class 507 fleet

West Coast Railways acquires Riviera Trains coaching stock

Scottish Government signals beginning of the end for the Inter7City HST fleet

EMR showcases Class 810 Aurora interiors

IN BRIEF

ScotRail peak fare removal pilot ends

ASLEF and LNER reach agreement to avert strike action

Alstom secures £10.4m TPE Class 397 Nova 2 maintenance extension

Gemini Rail Services complete GWR Turbo interior refurbishment project

Doing the locomotion! Freightliner Class 90 named after Pete Waterman

Fundraising farewell charter train brings an end to West Midlands Class 323 EMUs

New trains proposed as Grand Central seeks track access extension from ORR

Transport for London pre-qualifies four companies to build replacement tram fleet

East Midlands Railway launches second Pride train in time for Skegness event

ScotRail HST power car news

And then there were six!

Locomotive Services Group keeps Arlingtonʼs Eastleigh painters busy

Latest Class 69 conversion for GBRf enters traffic

Coaching Stock News

Unit News

Unit Focus

Wagon News

Naming Update

Shunter News

Livery Changes

58023 moves to Severn Valley Railway ahead of Autumn Diesel Bash debut

Shunter shuttles mark return of trains to part of GCR(N) route

Bodywork overhaul scheduled for Swanage Railway Class 33/1

Defective engine lifted out of CFPS Class 40

56006 returns to traffic at ELR gala

WLA D1013 Western Ranger lifted

The 2024 diesel event season draws to a close

A bumper few weeks for heritage diesel enthusiasts

DMU Group (West Midlands) collection boosted by Class 101

Pacer 142055 set for preservation debut

Clacton Class 309 restoration progresses well at new home

IN BRIEF

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

Long trips need decent breaks

Drax at 50: Putting on a show • Buoyed by the success of his first photographic charter events, Chris Gee was also responsible for the ambitious charity photoshoot at Drax Power Station on August 17, organised as part of the Drax Power Station 50th anniversary celebrations, with proceeds to benefit Martin House Children’s Hospice.

PICTORIAL

Fleet survey: Class 66s Part 2 • English Welsh & Scottish Railways may have placed the largest single order for Class 66s, but other operators soon followed by adding them to their fleets, as Richard Clinnick explains in this second part of three Fleet Surveys focusing on the ubiquitous locomotives.

Going for growth • Originally established in 2013 as a leasing company, UKRL soon diversified into the maintenance, overhaul and servicing of locomotives and rolling stock, with a growing number of operators being added the order books as the company expands. Andy Coward visited Leicester Depot to meet UKRL managing director Gareth Roberts.

LIVING LIFE IN THE PAST LANE • Chris Gee recounts his experiences in pursuit of recreating typical railway scenes from a bygone era but...