Sixty years ago this month, on March 6 1966, the Western Region achieved two major goals with the end of both steam power and the Somerset & Dorset route – bringing a mighty era to a rather grubby end.

The long-awaited passenger-carrying debut of battery-powered 230001 on the Greenford branch finally occurred on January 31, the set forming 2G02, the 05.30 West Ealing-Greenford, before working throug

When I started trainspotting in April 1981, it was at Berkswell Station, between Coventry and Birmingham International, and a five-mile bike ride from my home town of Kenilworth. I’d tried Tile Hill s

In the first 15 years of its life as a heritage line, steam on the West Somerset Railway underwent a remarkable transformation, from humble industrials to stars from the National Collection.

Overhauls, restorations and running notes

Steam Railway meets up with Gavin Collins, Chairman of the North Dorset Railway, and Phil Jacques, the line’s Operations Manager, to talk about what this S&D anniversary year (and beyond) holds for the expanding heritage line.