The metal master

Having sat patiently on a shelf for a few years, the time has come for this Andrew Barclay 040ST to shine, as Chris Nevard portrays an oily, dusty and careworn industrial workhorse.

Eyebrows were raised among the steam fraternity when the Watercress Line preserved a ‘Sprinter’ diesel multiple unit. Now the train has arrived at Ropley, MARK PEARCE delves deeper into what the move means for the future of heritage rail motive power.

Overhauls, restorations and running notes

While there were undoubtedly many benefits for a single, nationalised railway, for customers there was one thing lacking: competition. For passengers, the car was a viable alternative in most cases, a

GARY ESSEX looks at the railways that have successfully diversified their income streams, from contract work for main line operators to reinventing themselves as invaluable training sites.

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