News - Department for Transport to appoint a 'rail closure manager', Jarvis buys two Class 56 machines and freight traffic is up nearly 10% since last year.
News pictorial - News in pictures including the final refurbished 'Tiger-stripe' Class 507, Cotswold '87' in silver and RT Rail's Mainline blue 08523 starts work.
Gatwick 'ED' farewell - Gatwick Express dispensed with the use of Class 73s on the dedicated rail-air link in July. RAIL EXPRESS reports on the last day of operation,
Mess room - Unwind with RAIL EXPRESS' light-hearted page. A commuter who wanted to ride to town on his ass and Directory Inquiries who couldn't spell 'Irish'!
Welcome to the dangerzone - It was Britain's deadliest train - the highly toxic hydrocyanic acid tanks. The full story of its hazardous operation is explained for the first time.
Railtours - Is it really unreasonable to look out of a window to enjoy the sound of the loco? When does it become unacceptable and who should say?

RAIL EXPRESS Modeller- Wibdenshaw, by Keir Hardy, is our feature layout this month. Bachmann's Railfreight '20s' and Parkside's VEA kit examined.

Time traveller - The railway headlines from this month 5,10,20, 30 and 40 years ago. 30 years ago, were you at Shildon for the S&DR 150 cavalcade of locos?
Preservation - The AC Locomotive Group buys 86213 and 86101, Wensleydale Railway starts loco-hauled trial and 47765 escapes from Wigan for preservation.
Nene valley diesels - A mini-feature showing what can be seen on this preserved Cambridgeshire heritage line and the best locations to photograph the diesel fleet.
Traction and rolling stock - Fifteen pages of unbeatable locomotive and stock news. All your favourites columns are here along with top class photographic coverage

Cover: After 32 years of service, the pioneer Class 87 is to retire to the National Railway Museum. No. 87001 is pictured at Tamworth on September 9th, 2004, with the 12.30 Euston-Glasgow UpMain