With another bumper issue lined up, Rail Express editor Richard Clinnick talks us through what’s coming up in the new issue.
Welcome to the January 2024 edition of Rail Express, which is another 100-page edition packed with news and features.
We feature an exclusive interview with Great Western Railway managing director Mark Hopwood who discusses a wide range of topics including Castle High Speed Trains, why GWR needs new trains, ongoing Intercity Express Train performance, the future of battery trains including the Class 230s now owned by the operator and why he wants to see more electrification.
Christopher Westcott reports on both the London Underground’s past and future. In a feature looks at the centenary of the G-Stock while he talks to LU and Siemens about the new Piccadilly Line stock, the first of which is on test in Germany.
We present a selection of images of the final few weeks of TransPennine Express Class 68-hauled passenger trains, while there is also a round-up of the latest developments on the HS2 project following rail minister Huw Merriman’s update to parliament in November.
Our Headline News reports on DB Cargo UK’s decision to withdraw its Class 60 fleet in favour of modified Class 66s, London North Eastern Railway’s order for ten tri-mode trains from CAF, the Office of Rail and Road’s latest exemption extension for West Coast Railways and the threat to 1300 jobs at Alstom’s Derby Litchurch Lane.
Elsewhere, there are reports on a mixed month for Class 37s, Class 730s enter traffic with West Midlands Railway, DB has sent steam era wagons for scrap, another Class 20 has been preserved and more Mk.3s have arrived at Great Yarmouth ahead of export.
Rail Express Modeller reports on Dapol’s announcing an ‘OO’ gauge Class 323, Bachmann’s launch of Kenesis, which is a new wireless DCC hub and handset system and Heljan revealing ‘O’ gauge Class 24/0 and ‘24/1’ locomotives at Warley alongside an ‘OO’ gauge Class 44.
An ‘N’ gauge Class 66 is confirmed by Revolution Trains while Accurascale is now offering ‘OO’ gauge CDAs in ECCI blue.
In REM reviews, we look at Heljan’s ‘O’ gauge later-life Deltic, Bachmann’s refurbished 4-CEP, Heljan’s AEC express parcels car and Newton Chambers car carriers and Accurascale’s retooled 21t mineral wagons.
I hope you enjoy it.
Richard Clinnick, Rail Express Editor
The January edition of Rail Express will be on sale from December 15. Pre-order your copy here or check out our subscription offers to save money and never miss an issue.
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