was riddles right? - Taking a controversial standpoint, L.A. Summers argues that the BR Standard classes were too conservative - in technical and styling terms - and failed to reach steam's true potential, making the Riddles years a lost opportunity for British steam locomotive design.
40TH anniversary of churchill's funeral train - Using previously unpublished information and pictures, John H. Bird, reveals how two Bulleid 'Pacifies', two BR Standard tanks and two 'Western' diesels played their part in Winston Churchill's state funeral 40 years ago this month.
How R.N.H. hardy got To grips with stratford - From his post of Stewart's Lane Shedmaster, R.N.H. Hardy has been transferred to Stratford District. It is 1955 and the Modernisation Plan will shortly be announced. This, however, is for the future. In this first instalment of a new series covering his steam years at Stratford, we are also introduced to the formidable railway officer in charge of the Stratford District, the renowned 'LP'.
wonderful 1960S colour on the mid-wales line - Armed with a selection of superb colour views, we join Michael Mensing for an excursion over the lormer Cambrian and later Great Western route from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth, in mid-Wales.
great shot! - We are on Holloway Bank. watching LSER 'Pacifics' with renowned steam photographer Cotn Walker. own A steam world video! Steam World's own video archive - using readers' footage - has expanded to a 15th volume- The latest release covers Central England and the complete collection covers almost every area of the country!
that reminds me...Drawing on material from his late father, George Dow's, collection, Andrew Don. chances on a photograph that is not only perfectfy executed, but also reflects the care and pride that therailway took in its permanent way.
good times at peterborough and new england - As Yard Master at Peterborough. Stanley Hall faced many problems keeping his yard running smoothly, mainly caused by shortages of men and equipment, which sometime required radical solutions, as he concludes his account ot his time at this busy location.
from derby shed To schubert...In the third part of his insightful series on his youthful experiences around Derby and Nottingham, former BR manager Norman Roycroft reveals how a house move and a classroom confession of his love of the music of Franz Schubert were to change his life forever.
comment - For 150 years London Paddington has been the gateway to the west, but as part of the station faces another redevelopment we ask why the current plans do not follow in the steam tradition of putting passengers first.
call attention - More oddities, suggestions and comments from the steam years.
how to subscribe to steam world - You can save money off the cover price of each issue and get the magazine posted to your home at our expense before it's in the shops!
platform - Debate and discussion on a wide variety of topics - across the entire steam scene.
footplate fraternity at fratton - There's trouble at Nine Elms as engines are accidentally 'coaled' with a mixture of chalk and coal, leading to 'on the road' failures. Problems continue for fireman George Blakey as he works a heavily overloaded train, while on another trip, the brick arch collapses.
anytime, any place, anywhere...Although Stanier's three-cylinder 2-6-4 tanks didn't meet their great expectations in traffic, the basic design was sound and from 1935 the LMS ordered more batches, but to a two cylinder design. Engineman Brian Topping explains how the decisions to order more engines were made, and the locomotive new-build scheme was backed in 1936 by a government loan guarantee. However, war is looming its way; by the 1940s not all locomotives ordered have been built and a new CME is on his way...
boxes full of memories...Rod Fowkes has left school for a dream job, being paid to take engine numbers as part of his duties as a signalbox lad, officially called a Control Reporter, at Sheet Stores junction, nearToton.
next issue - Don't miss our peek at next month's timetable, to find out what's going to arrive in the February issue of Britain's top-selling historical railway magazine. Don't miss out - order your copy from the newsagents now!

On the cover: GWR 4-6-0 No. 7816 Frilsham Manor at Swindon.