8 HEADLINE NEWS Overseas operators step in as British TOCs deem profit margins too low; New look for West Midlands; DRS gets first Class 88; Class 40 goes blue; New base for Northern Belle rake; New cab for Paddington DMU; Bi-mode finally fulfils potential; First freight from China arrives; HS2 fleet procurement begins; Channel Tunnel tanks; Design changes needed to Class 230 gensets; More Class 68s confirmed. 16 AN OXFORDSHIRE RENAISSANCE The story behind the Bicester chord and the new Marylebone to Oxford service. 18 250 NOT OUT! This month we notch up our 250th issue, and here we look back on some of the key dates and happenings from the past 21 years. 22 LAST DAYS OF THE a€~WESTERNSa€ How the much-loved fleet was run down 40 years ago at the end of 1976 and early 1977. 28 THE a€~01a€ STORY The life and times of the Holyhead Breakwater Railway and its diminutive BR locos. 30 0-60: CLASS 315 TfL Raila€ s workhorses are put to the test. 32 REVIEWS New books on a€~40sa€ , Tyneside, and allocations. 33 EXPRESS MAILBAG West Midlands coke traffic; Wabtec-built locos; Thameslink performance.compared. 34 TIME TRAVELLER March news from decades past. 75 LU WORLD Proposed Croxley Link in doubt again. 76 RAILTOURS Track tours kick-start the new year; SRPS announces 2017 tours; UKR targets South Wales. 78 PRESERVATION What locos are operational in 2017? DPS to stage anniversary a€~Deltica€ gala at the Bluebell Railway; the HTG details its plans for No. 37714. 82 POWER BY THE HOUR Class 70s stored; GBRf a€~92sa€ return to Caledonian Sleeper duties; Full listing of stored locos. 88 POWERSCENE Our class-by-class round-up of notable workings. 98 UNITARY AUTHORITY Off-lease Class 319 go to Long Marston. 101 SHUNTER SPOT RSS takes on new locos and new jobs. 102 COACH COMPARTMENT Riviera moves to new base at Eastleigh Works. 103 WAGONS ROLL First a€~shortya€ Touax hoppers leave WH Davis. 104 IRISH ANGLE Boost for freight after Tara Mines investment.