Hail, mighty Duchess! - David Wilcock soaks in the atmosphere of one of this year's most exciting events - the main line debut of 46229 "Duchess of Hamilton".
Tha call of tha Wild Hills - An enthusiast down to his stocking feet, Geoff Silcock writes with feeling as "Flying Scotsman's" hearty beat rings among the Cumbrian hills.
Navvias to a manl - Dean Forest Railway Society members had it far from easy during the reconstruction of their line - but their blistered hands have been worth it, as our Preserved Line Profile shows.
Five foot three - That's the standard gauge over in Ireland, where the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland has virtually a whole network to run marathon steam trips over.
Parade of the century - Fourteen pages, four in colour, of the spectacular happenings at Rainhill. We think we've managed to get a unique atmosphere into our photos, and hope you all agree.
The battle for "Camelot" - One of the few BR Standard Class Fives to be named, No. 73082 is now safe from the cutter's torch. But it's been a close run thing.
In tha bleak mid-winter - More than 30 hours on duty in a blizzard, a "hitchhiking" airman who got soaked in the tender of a "Black Five", and the Midland 4F that ran away are our footplate tales this month,
Nawt by tha bucketful - Our seven news pages feature "Britannia's" run to Peterborough. Bulleids on the move, "Leander's" storming two-way trip over the Long Drag...and much much more
Old Bathtubs never die - The Festiniog Railway's "Prince", back in action after a major rebuild, is the oldest locomotive in regular use in Britain,
Steam In Print - More titles are reviewed, from a magnificent engineering "Bible" by David Harvey to a nostalgic book by a former Great Western fireman.
Will Mallard race again? - Several readers give their views in our two-page Mailbag feature.

Front cover: Two of SirNigel Gresley's masterpieces, No.4472 "Flying Scotsman" and No.4771 "Green Arrow", simmer together as they wait for Rainhill.