Overhauls, restorations and running notes

Chugging and chuffing their way around heritage lines across the country, steam locomotives continue to capture our imagination, says Octavia Pollock

We’re heading into a momentous year for railway preservation as the Talyllyn Railway marks 75 years since it was saved from almost certain extinction to become the first heritage railway. But how did the concept of railway preservation emerge and develop? MARK PEARCE digs deeper.

HERITAGE RAILWAY ASSOCIATION POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER MARK PEARCE TACKLES STEAM’S BURNING ISSUES

One of three remaining unrestored Barry ‘Hall’ class engines, No. 5967 Bickmarsh Hall has seen significant progress since its move to Llangollen in June 2024. GARY ESSEX visits the owner, Nick Gilbert, to look at progress.

As 2025 draws to a conclusion, it’s time to look back at another varied year on Britain’s railways, and, as ever, there have been many developments, not all for the better, but plenty of good news as