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Railways Illustrated is published on the 1st Friday of every month
Railways Illustrated Diary
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The Railways Illustrated diary is published each issue and aims to be a 'one stop shop' detailing what is coming up in the next two/three months, plus advance warning of some of the bigger events later in the year.
It details all planned main line railtours for diesel, steam and electric traction aimed at enthusiasts as well diesel galas, steam galas and diesel running dates. Contact details for charter train promoters and main preserved railways are included (narrow gauge lines are excluded).
It will allow you to plan ahead to keep you up to date with what is happening around the country, so you never miss any of the action!
Charters
For charters, the promoter and the train operator are listed, along with the booked, or expected, traction. The steam list details the leg worked by steam and where unusual diesel traction is expected to be involved, this is listed separately in the diesel column.
Please note the following:
- 47x2 usually means top-and-tail operation with just one locomotive working at any time.
- West Coast Railway operations are assumed to be 47-hauled but could be worked by other traction, especially 57601.
- DB Schenker jobs listed as 90s could equally be 67s and some 67-hauled trains may be pairs or top-and-tailed 67s or 66/67 combinations.
- BP denotes British Pullman, but VSOE, Northern Belle, Royal Scotsman and other Pullman/Luxury or private trains are not listed because of space constraints unless hauled by heritage traction.
- Train operators are occasionally subject to change.
- VB denotes the train is expected to be vacuum-braked, which precludes some Class 47s and 57 power.
Heritage railways
For many railways, steam is the main traction, and running dates as such are not listed – just the main steam galas. Diesel running during the main timetable may be on a limited basis – please check before travelling. However, any known, planned use, of a diesel is listed and any information known at the time of going to press is also added – such as how many trips are planned.
Please note the following:
- SH indicates the locomotive should be steam heating
- DMUs appearing at galas are not listed.
- For diesel and mixed traction galas, check PLEG site for timetables and rosters nearer the time for full information
Information
As usual, all information is in good faith, but please check the correct locomotive(s) are working as planned and on what diagrams before travelling or booking – and don't blame RI if things do not turn out as planned! This is intended as a guide to help you plan your days out – or even tempt you to get out and about and enjoy and support the railways and their events.
If you are involved in a railway or a locomotive owning group and wish to add a listing to the RI diary – please do so – just send an e-mail with the details to pip.dunn@eastfieldmedia.com and we'll add it.