News - Government signals a change of heart on electrification, as EWS publishes suggestions for wired 'in-fills'. Rosco sold, plus a new freight flow for Colas.
News special: Why IEP must die! - With mass new electrification on the way, the interCity Express Programme is starting to look obsolete. Ian Walmsley suggests a cheaper alternative.
News in pictures - Brand new 'Desires' arrive in the UK for London Midland, there are more trials for the Holyhead-Cardiff, and Freight Europe ships Class 87s abroad.
All night... and most of the day - With the DRS Class 20/3s reduced to just two circuits in this year’s RHTT season, Gareth Bayer was given the the chance to join a crew for a night.
Time Traveller - BREL's York Works was at capacity 20 years ago following the awarding of big new contracts. All the headlines from 10, 20, 30, 40 & 50 years ago.
Preservation - The SRPS and the Bo'ness & Kinneil are both winners as they pick up two Class 37/4s for preservation in Scotland. Weardale Railway plans revealed.
Railtours - Pathfinder’s tour programme for 2009 will include several notable trips behind Western Champion. D444 returns to the main line on a charter

Centre RAIL EXPRESS Modeller:
Steve Harrod's Gauge One hydraulic-fest Worcester Road shed layout is illustrated. Plus: first review of Hornby's all-new HST.

MTU: The obvious choice - MTU engines are proven technology, supplying power to a whole host of European diesels, from Class 43 HST power cars to Bombardier's 'Traxx DE'.
Traction & Rolling Stock - The Class 67 fleet is almost back to its full complement in service as RHTT and other commitments are fulfilled. RE gives an overview of the class.
Reader Offer: Crewe & Cheshire - A second chance to purchase Terry Moors’s book on the Cheshire area (previewed in RE150), the sequel to his well regarded Staffordshire volume.
Reviews - With Christmas just weeks away, our reviews page gives you the low down on the latest books, DVDs and other items to put in your letter to Santa.
Mess room - Our cartoonist makes a mockery of the new Transport Secretary's first speech, plus other humorous stories from the last four weeks of news.

Cover: Locomotive-powered push-pull for FGW anyone? If IEP is scrapped, this is how the replacement trains could look - an artist’s impression based on Siemens’ control car for OBB's Railjet services. Philip Wormald/Philip Sutton