Backtrack

Backtrack, Britain's Leading Historical Railway Journal, covers all aspects of railway history from its earliest days through to more recent events up to around ten years before now including, early railway history from the 'pre-Stephenson' era, steam, diesel and electric locomotive history, railway company history, railway carriages and wagons, railway stations, railway ships, hotels & road vehicles, railway economic and social history, railway publicity and advertising. Backtrack's contributors include many of today's leading railway history writers. From the beginning the magazine has maintained a reputation for its production values and each issue contains a wealth of photographs reproduced to the highest standards, including a generous selection of historic colour. Published monthly, Backtrack is THE magazine for all who are interested in British railway history.

Editorial • Long-distance journeys

Backtrack

CAMBRIAN TIMES • Many will have memories of the Cambrian Railways’ lines from holidays spent in Wales – either the ‘main line’ heading across through Welshpool and Machynlleth to Aberystwyth or the wonderful coastal route to Barmouth and Pwllheli. Here are some reminders of it from steam days by GAVIN MORRISON.

DUMFRIES SHED IN BR STEAM DAYS • An introductory description and brief history of Dumfries shed, and detailed survey of its locomotives during BR steam days.

A MANX ODYSSEY IN 1963 PART ONE

LEICESTERSHIRE'S RAILWAYS

‘JSG’ IN GLOS • A few finds by JOHN SPENCER GILKS during his photographic explorations around Gloucestershire.

THIS WAS GRANTHAM • In railway terms Grantham station on the East Coast Main Line wouldn't merit much attention these days but it used to be a centre of some significance – junction for the Great Northern line to Nottingham and home to an important locomotive depot hosting Pacifics and goods engines and with top link turns to fulfil. Given the motive power to be seen, both station and shed were much favoured by photographers.

KELSEY HILL SIDINGS A TALE OF FOUR RAILWAYS AND TWO DOCKS IN HULL

MODERNISATION PLAN DMU SERVICES A QUALIFIED SUCCESS? • STEPHEN G. ABBOTT outlines the rapid introduction of diesel multiple units under the 1955 Modernisation Plan.

CAVAN & LEITRIM FINALE • The narrow gauge Cavan & Leitrim Railway inhabited the rural green of central Ireland. Based on Ballinamore (Co. Leitrim) the 48-mile-long system resembled a letter ‘Y’. Eastward the line linked to the Great Northern (Ireland) branch at Belturbet in Co. Cavan while southward, at Dromod, a connection was made with the Midland Great Western's ‘principal’ line from Dublin through Mullingar to Sligo. A north western branch served coalmines at Arigna, just over the border in Co. Roscommon – and this section was constructed as a roadside tramway. Throughout its existence, from 1887 to 1961 the Cavan & Leitrim was worked exclusively by steam. With the formation of the Republic of Ireland the country's nationalised railway, the Great Southern and later Coras Iompair Eireann, was able to transfer narrow gauge locomotives from closed lines to the C&L to support the ‘home fleet’ at times of increased traffic. Thus in its latest years the Cavan & Leitrim was host to its own locomotives plus those from the former Cork, Blackrock & Passage and the Tralee & Dingle Railways. TREVOR OWEN recorded the scene in 1957.

LANCASHIRE & YORKSHIRE RAILWAY COTTON TOWN STATION A SEQUEL

THE FRENZE ESTATE RAILWAY

WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT THE 4-4-0s?

NANCY DAWSON AND THE ‘THAMES-CLYDE EXPRESS’

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