keeping trains running at redhill - Despite having an official visit to Redhill shed in 1953, when he left school and joined BR Peter Landon elected to work in Redhill's control office. He recalls how traffic was kept moving at the Central Division's busiest location outside of London.
disaster at bourne end - Five months after VE Day, Britain experienced its first major post-war railway accident when the 8.20pm Perth-Euston - coincidentally the same train involved in the Harrow disaster seven years later - crashed at Bourne End. Accident specialist Stanley Hall, explains what went wrong. gresley 'V2s' ease SR
locomotive crisis - Fifty years ago the Southern Region was plunged into a crisis when its 140 Bulleid 'Pacifies'were withdrawn for axle inspections after a derailment. Mike'Esau recalls the Southern becoming the temporary home for 'foreign' locomotives.
firing the last 'king' to - leave snow hill The last 'King' made a farewell trip from Birmingham Snow Hill to Swindon 40 years ago. Despite appaling coal, the run was a success, largely due to the efforts of the crew. Dick Potts, who fired and drove the engine remembers that special day.
comment - Why the country station was such an important part of rural and railway life.
call attention - More quirks, requests and oddities from the world of steam are uncovered this month.
tales of A barrow (road) boy! - In the second part of his series on his footplate career at the former Midland Barrow Road shed in Bristol, Brian Redwood describes his next move up the ladder into the goods link.
A 'stranger' strolls down stewards lane - In the final chapter of his series, former Stewart's Lane Shedmaster R.H.N Hardy concludes his biography with the reminiscences of the men he worked with and who still meet for reunions.
king's cross from the air - We present a magnificent bird's eye view of the area immediately north of the terminus in 1957.
recollections of a 'canklow crow' - BR's Class 5 4-6-Os were supposed to be improved versions of Stanier's 'Black Fives' but, as former Canklow driver Mick Hayes recounts, this didn't always prove to be the case.
the fastline files - With another selection of black and white images from Fastline Photographic, Andrew Dow looks at the renewal of the Newcastle's famous diamond crossings in October 1949.
platform - Debate and discussion on a wide variety of topics across the entire steam scene.
great shot! - A busy three locomotive parade at York in August 1959 photographed by Keith Pirt in colour.
all things considered - Controversial columnist Andrew Dow serves a slice of opinion about how railways used to run.
in the goods link...Goods traffic was a considerable and important aspect of the Western Region in the 1950 and '60s. R.C. Riley presents a selection of superb colour photographs of this essential activity.
next issue - Don't miss our peek at next month's timetable, to find out what's going to arrive in the October issue of Britain's top-selling historical railway magazine. Don't miss out - order your copy from the newsagents now!

On the cover: A Stanier in sun - '5MT' 4-6-0 No. 44837 is captured at Crewe station on August 9 1963.