Cover Stories:
Vintage hoppers bow out - It's goodbye to the PHV stone wagons
Loco-hauled update - Virgin XC Sunday timetable changes
Derby-Sinfin to close? - East Midland's branch under threat
Harry Needle's railroad - Private owner's fleet to run main line

News:
New business attraction - Midland Mainline tempts businessmen
Enter The Welshman' - New operator to run Holyhead-Cardiff
ROSCOs face regulation - Leasing companies under fire
Travelling billboards - Eurostar turns to mobile advertising

Reader Tour - Portuguese Super Power - Join us on this fantastic six day tour to see and ride behind the CP 'Hoovers'.

Models:
Newsdesk - Model latest - you read it here first!
Review of the year - The 1997 modelling year recalled

Offers:
Binders - Now's the time to order that binder!

Traction & Rolling Stock:
Powerscene - Locomotives making the headlines
Shed Talk - Pool changes and transfers
Classified Information - Locos under repair and in Works
The Name Game - News of what's named and denamed
Shunter Spot - Class 08s/09s in the West Midlands
World of Wagons - EG Steel celebrates 50 years in business
Unitary Authority - Coaching stock and unit developments
Departmental Diary - Railtrack's concept vehicle on show
Irish Angle - IR and NIR topics under the spotlight

Features:
Chemical reaction - The rise and fall of chemical traffic
Germany calling - An introduction to German railways
Jointed track - Focus on the South Yorkshire Joint Line
Railtour Bazaar - It's time to pick a great tour!
Traction Odyssey - Three early Southern Railway shunters
Preservation - Preservation projects in the headlines

Nostalgia:
The Rattle & Roll Years - Decimalisation and 'Clayton' farewell

Cover Picture - Class 31/1 No. 31207 pilots Class 37/4 No. 37419 at Tunstead on the 07.47 Tunstead-Oakleigh limestone working on June 1st, 1997. The veteran former ICI hoppers, many of which date from 1936, have now been replaced. See 'Freight update' on pages 8/9 for the full story. Picture: Ross Middleton.