Getting a Grasp of the GWR - With the help of some magnificent colour photographs, John Clarke describes his journey of discovery to the GWR, from his home in South Yorkshire.
From MR To BR...More than 1,200 former Midland locomotives survived into BR days. John Cadmore begins a highly-illustrated two-part look at these survivors.
Clangers on the DN&S - Colin Boocock recounts some of the mishaps that befell him while gaining footplate experience as an engineering apprentice attached to Eastleigh Works.
Sheer Grit and a Bucket of Sand - Why did Arthur Pollard's driver always take an bucket of sand on long trips? The question is answered by the former Springs Branch fireman as he recalls an eventful trip on a 'Royal Scot.'
Steam Beneath Dreaming Spires - John Loader concludes his reminiscences of Oxford between 1945 and 1960, a station where representatives ot all the Big Four put in appearances.
Comment - The remarkable longevity of the steam locomotive is saluted by Editor Barry McLoughlin.
Call Attention - Yet more feats by humble 'N7' tank locomotives are revealed - and we name the winner of the 'Pin's Puzzler' competition.
In Search of Scottish 'Pacifics' - J.B. Hall concludes his three-part series wrth the successful completion of his efforts to 'cop' every Scottish Region-allocated 4-6-2.
All Things Considered - Columnist Andrew Dow with some more expert analysis and reflection on the world of steam. This month he looks at the all-important coupling - which started life as a humble loop of rope, thrown over a hook and evolved into the auto-coupler of today.
LSWR steam from Staines and Feltham - In the conclusion of his three-part series on the former London & South Western Railway lines around his home in Staines, Keith Jaggers looks back at special passenger workings and his travels further along the line, to Guildford and finally Waterloo.
Go East, Young Man! - In his first management post, the young R.H.N. Hardy could never resist a challenge, as he reveals in his series on the Great Eastern section of the LNER. He recalls a trip on a 'dumbell'of a locomotive which tested his skills to the limit!
Platform - Another specially extended Platform this month as we publish readers' views on everything from access to railway records to a narrow escape for a fortunate railwayman on shunting duties at Widnes.
Reviews - A selection of the best steam books and videos for your Christmas shopping list. Leave the magazine open at this page, around the house....
Next Issue - What's in store for the Millennium's first edition of Britain's biggest-selling historical railway magazine! A FREE calendar, for a start.

Cover: Midland '2P' 4-4-0 - No. 40557 stands at Millhouses shed, coupled to an MR tender, in October 1957.