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

Light at the end of the tunnel

Rail Express

RAIL EXPRESS

New rules for Channel Tunnel operation • Britain’s exit from the EU means new safety and interoperability procedures are required.

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO PROMISED CHANNEL TUNNEL RAIL FREIGHT?

End for Isle of Wight ‘483s’

IN BRIEF

DfT grants further stays of execution • TfW Class 143s and EMR HSTs are amongst those given leave to continue in service until the end of May, despite not meeting the current accessibility legislation.

Annual January rail fare rise delayed until March

DB Cargo trials biofuels • Static tests on a Class 67 were followed by main line runs with a ‘66’.

First Tube train to Battersea

IN BRIEF

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

SHED TALK

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

NEWS ROUND-UP

STORED HST POWER CAR LOCATIONS

EMR retires its final VP185-powered HSTs • The final Paxman-engined Class 43s are removed from passenger service on the Midland Main Line, but happily 11 still remain active with other operators.

Three more for GWR ‘Castle’ fleet

CrossCountry makes it a dozen

EFPC POWER CARS

NEWS ROUND-UP

GA ‘Aventras’ spread their wings

CLASS 745 ENTRY TO SERVICE

Final Class 745 put into service • All of Greater Anglia’s ‘Flirt’ units are now in service.

SHED TALK

Classic hoppers head for scrap • A deal between Aggregates Industries and VTG will see the 1980s-built Bardon and ECC/Camas hopper fleets sent for disposal as new repurposed HYA hoppers take over.

DEVELOPMENTS

LSL Mk.3 fleet in focus • David Russell profiles the Mk.3 coaches belonging to Locomotive Services.

SHED TALK

GWR forms three-car HST sets

ERS generator van moves to Polmadie

IN BRIEF

New engine for HNRC ‘09’ • Peripatetic ‘Gronk’ visits Leeds, Worksop and Barrow Hill.

NEWS ROUND-UP

Pendle Dalesman's great value

‘50s’ on Pullmans to Worcester

Vintage Trains reveals 2021 programme • The Birmingham train operating company has launched a varied package of steam and diesel trips for the new year.

FORTHCOMING TOURS FOR FEBRUARY • (ALL ARE SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION OR ALTERATION, CHECK WITH OPERATORS)

Industrial Santa Specials

IN BRIEF

‘Goyle’ sold for main line use • Skinhead Class 31 joins Hanson & Hall fleet.

Vintage Trains acquires three Class 144s for charter work

IN BRIEF

First Class 143s enter preservation

Dean Forest DMU Group buys Pontypool ‘108’ set for spares

More provisional 2021 gala dates announced

COACH NEWS

‘2024 Stock’ design due soon • Cab and body mock-ups of the Piccadilly Line’s new train fleet should be released by Siemens in March.

Four Lines Modernisation update

1992 Stock upgrade progressing

LIGHT RAIL ROUND-UP

NORTHERN IRELAND RAILWAYS (NIR)

Belmond Grand Hibernian...