the squalor and joys of steam in industry - Small locomotives hauling heavy trains over steep gradients - this was the tough working life of industrial railways. Brian Syddall recalls the later days of the East Midlands Ironstone Quarries.
How BR's 'britannia' 4-6-2s were modified - An accident near Didcot, caused when a driver missed signals, was partially attributed to the smoke deflectors interrupting the driver's view. Soon a modification programme started. John Pearse details which 'Britannias' were treated and tries to establish why some were never modified.
my love affair with 'A4S' - As a Wolverhampton lad Derek Cope spent many years with LMS and GWR motive power. However, his first visit to King's Cross found him falling hopelessly in love with 'A4s', which culminated in enjoying their final years in Scotland.
A special farewell trip for GWR 'castles' - May 9 1964 is a date that all Great Western enthusiasts remember with affection. The drama-packed day, at the end of regular steam haulage on the Western Region saw three of the remaining 'Castles' work a high-speed railtour. As Frank Northcott recalls, it was a day that nearly ended prematurely.
comment - Steam in industry - a vital but largely ignored aspect of our history
call attention - More oddities, suggestion and comments from the steam years.
of people and places...Life was dangerous working on the railway, whether it was runaway trains or the night, as the late Charles Meacher recalls, when he was knocked flying while turning an engine at Hawick.
How To subscribe To steam world - You can save nearly 22p off the cover price of each issue and get the magazine posted to your home at our expense before it appears in the shops!
platform - Debate and discussion on a wide variety of topics - across the entire steam scene.
the fastline files - In another instalment of superb black and white images from the remarkable infrastructure archive of Fastline Photographic Ltd, Andrew Dow follows the 1948 re-modelling of Church Fenton North Junction, near York.
A seagull's eye view of blackpool - It's 40 years ago this autumn since Britain's best-known holiday station, Blackpool Central, closed - leaving a gaping gash that still exists in the heart of the bustling resort. Former Steam World editor Barry McLoughlin is our guide...
A southern triptych - Part 2: The dead body. In the next of three 'panels' of work by lan Krause he recalls the frustration of chasing filthy 'Bulleids' and a surprise on a railtour.
To wales and the west in '53 - It's the final leg of David Bertram's mammoth five-day shed-bash, when he discovers that in many ways, BR has changed little from the 'Big Four' or even pre-grouping days.
buy A steam world video! - Steam World's own video archive - using readers' footage - has expanded to a 14th volume. The latest release covers the North East and the complete collection covers almost every area of the country!
that reminds ME...Drawing on material from his father's collection Andrew Dow recalls the organisation and knowledge that lay behind an apparently straightforward photograph of a ceremony at Hadnall station, Shropshire.
from our man in the van...The war is drawing to a close for 19-year-old Ron Well ings who is now a GWR goods guard. However it's not all plain sailing, especially when'two of his trains have serious accidents within 24 hours.
great shot! - Ken Wightman visits London St. Pancras station to see a LMS 'Black Five' on a beautiful sunny afternoon.
next issue - Our peek at next month's timetable, find out what's going to amve in the July issue of Steam World. Don't mcs out - order your copy from the newsagents now!

ON THE COVER: In June 1962 GWR 'Castle' 4-6-0 No. 5057 Earl Waldegrave waits to leave London Paddington station.