Overhauls, restorations and running notes

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.

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.

GET IN TOUCH Steam Railway, Media House, Lynchwood, ...

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

Pick up the phone, call your local railway, offer to volunteer, and it could be the start of a whole new adventure, says ALEX ALDER. You might even go the whole hog and buy an engine…