ETURN TO PORTSMOUTH - Peter Hay wraps up his trilogy of tales in the life of a young naval rating possessed by railways, with the story of his posting to Portsmouth, and to a room overlooking the Harbour station.
GALLERY - The pick of some of the best and most creative black-and-white photographs submitted during the month, featuring the return to grace of Gresley three-cylinder V2 No.4771 Green Arrow, and the eminently photogenic Bulleid 'Volcano' No.34092 City of Wells on its first visit to London in almost 20 years.
MAILBAG - Fairbourne Railway owner John Ellerton hits back at criticism of his tactics by David Wilcock in the November issue 'Comment' a€ but others, it seems, are less than impressed by the 'New Fairbourne' too . . . Your letters, on four pages.
THE GLORIOUS YEARS - Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway managing director John Snell, guest photographer in this month's portfolio, counsels caution in immersing ourselves too much in the glorious past.
TRAIN INFORMATION - Booked some holiday around Christmas? Fancy mixing a glass of hot punch with a waft or two of steam? Steam Railway's train information guide tells you where to feast on steam over the holiday period. Plus full details of railway club and society meetings through January.
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS - Did you know Steam Railway now carries almost two thirds of all advertising in the steam-orientated railway press? Or that Steam Railway's circulation now exceeds 35,000 copies sold each month? Advertise with confidence, in Steam Railway.
INDEX - At-a-glance alphabetical listing of major and minor subjects covered in the pages of Steam Railway during 1985.
PERMANENT WAY - A further comparison between the railways we once knew and the railways as they are today. Norman Preedy focuses on Gloucester Eastgate.
NEWS - Behind-the-scenes moves have been taking place to convert Swindon's DMU overhaul shops to a working rail museum as big as the NRM. A full report and photograph. Plus details of the plan to run steam into Whitby in 1986 which has hit financial problems. All the news, this month on FIVE pages.
CAN I GO ROUND THE SHED, PLEASE? - Recreating the magic and the mood of the steam sheds we once knew, Tony Brown recalls some of the anxieties which faced the young trainspotter, and the awful decision which could not be put off: whether to ask permission, or 'bunk round' and risk it. Pictorially powerful and strongly recommended.
BOOK REVIEW - Thought provoking insight and informed comment upon some of the latest railway book releases to come on the market.
WORLDWIDE REPORT - Still with Stanier 2-8-0s in its operating fleet, Turkey has been a centre of attraction for more and more British steam enthusiasts in recent times - but now comes the news that Turkish steam is to be eliminated en bloc, and probably by December 31. David Thornhill reports the feedback.
A LITTLE BIT OF RAILWAY HISTORY YOU DIDN'T KNOW - What? You've never heard of Hugo Westwick, the great Norwich railway inventor? Such ignorance! Let Dicky Howett give you a little seasonal education!
RESURRECTION AT FALMOUTH - In keeping with its recent traditions, industrial steam working made another quite unexpected re-emergence a few months ago, at the most unlikely place: Falmouth docks. The resurrection of Hawthorn Leslie saddletank No.3 is told by Graham Hancock.
AFTER DARK - Photographer Alun Matthews' marvellous centre-spread picture of 2857 at Hereford captured many hearts; this month's colour centre feature takes a further look at some of the inspiring pictures which can be taken of live steam locomotives . . . after dark.