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

Happy New Year and welcome to the latest Railways Illustrated. I hope you all had a great festive period. I assume when you look back at 2025, it was a good year; at least we didn’t have a pandemic, b

03145 – Moreton Park: In September, the reduced-height 03 received a layer of polish from the top down to give it some protection during the winter. Some rust spots on the cab end and sides were treat

Although born in Doncaster during the Second World War, Peter Fitton was brought up in the Fylde, hence his interest in the L&Y – his bedroom in St Annes overlooked the then main line to Blackpool Cen

Steam nameplates: Manchester City (61671) £17,000, Princess Arthur of Connaught (46207) £10,000, Sir Murrough Wilson (60002) £9900, British Columbia (45559) £7500, Meg Merrilies (60115) £6500, County

The tie-up between UK Railtours and LSL to run its January 24 ‘Peak Blinder’ tour is an interesting development. Assuming all goes well, and there is no reason to wonder why it might not, it could hop