great shot! - We're with colour photographer Geoff Rixon, as'BR 'Manor' 4-6-0 No. 7827 Lydham Manor arrives at Aberystwyth depot in June 1963.
next issue - Don't miss'our peek at next month's timetable, to find out what's going to arrive in the November issue of Britain's top-selling historical railway magazine. Don't miss out - order your copy from the newsagents now!
east coast memories - Transferred from the north east to Peterborough, Stanley Hall suddenly found himself in charge of one of the busiest and most important parts of the Eastern Region's network. join US for A 1950S swindon
works visit - "Follow me!" This was the instruction given by our guides as they led yet another of the renowned Wednesday afternoon tours around Swindon Works. One of the largest works, Swindon was arguably the most fascinating to visit, so join us for a selection of 1950s visits, when Swindon's steam still reigned supreme.
nationalisation comes To derby station - Just what makes a trainspotter tick? In an absorbing insight into the psyche and motivations of a young spotter half a century ago, Norman Roycroft, who subsequently spent
nearly 40 years on the railway latterly as a senior manager, begins a new series on his formative years 'totally immersed in trains' in Derby and Nottingham.
working for SR central division control - Unseen by passengers, Control offices ensured that the railway ran to time and sorted out disruption. David Heal, who spent ten years in Redhill Control, explains what went on.
comment - Steam could be a difficult neighbour to love. Railways and the public have had an enduring love-hate relationship in Britain, and no more so than when it comes to their presence in towns and cities.
call attention - More oddities, suggestions and comments from the steam years.
steam finale at oxford - Two days before the official end of steam on the Western Region, Bill Piggott and a friend spent an uncomfortable, but fascinating, few hours at Oxford watching some of the final scenes.
platform - Debate and discussion on a wide variety of topics - across the entire steam scene.
footplate fraternity at fratton - The Second World War is over and footplateman George Blakey has been promoted to the Dual Gang - working electric and steam services. In the next instalment of his series he recounts life at Nine Elms, where he has transferred for the summer season.
reviews - Christmas is coming, so we've looked at the latest books, videos and CDs to see if the/re worth buying.
buy 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!
subscribe to steam world - You can save nearly 22p off the cover price of each issue and get the magazine posted to your home at our expense before it's in the shops!
anytime, any place, anywhere...Having proved the success of the first 25 of Sir Henry Fowler's Class Four 2-6^tTs, the LMS authorised the building of further batches. As engineman Brian Topping explains, their power and turn of speed put their predecessors in the shade.            
blackout and bombs - Struggling with the blackout, rationing and equipment stretched to the limit, young LNER footplateman Nobby Gooding has transferred to Colchester where he has become a fireman.
that reminds me...The occasion is a 'society' wedding and a special train has been organised to take some of the guests to the event. Using material from his late father's collection, Andrew Dow recalls this special occasion-of 51 years ago

On the cover: War Department 'Austerity' 2-8-0 No. 90482 is at West Hartlepool shed.