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

Backtrack

SECOND DELIVERIES • More photographs of parcels and freight trains from the SIMON LATHLANE Collection.

UNDER THE CLOCK AT SNOW HILL THE GWR’S PRINCIPAL BIRMINGHAM STATION REMEMBERED, 1954-1962

RAILWAYS AND ‘THE WORLD’S GREATEST SPA’

A MISFORTUNE OF ‘RIVERS’ • JEREMY CLARKE looks at a class of express tank locomotives which originated on the South Eastern & Chatham Railway and the circumstances that led to their rebuilding as tender engines by the Southern Railway.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES • JEFFREY WELLS describes some items exhumed during railway construction netween 1838 and 1866.

‘56XX’ – THE WORKHORSES OF SOUTH WALES

JUDGING BY THE LOOKS OF THEM… • H. G. Ivatt’s bid to produce a modern Class 4 goods locomotive to fufill a need still being met by the Midland-designed 4F 0-6-0 dating from 1911 was met by this 2-6-0 which emerged from Norwich Works right at the end of the London Midland & Scottish Railway era in 1947. They combined lower maintenance costs, easer servicing and wide route availability – but not good looks! But post-war utilitarianism counted for a lot and once early problems had been addressed the Class 4s proved their worth on both freight and passenger traffic – looks notwithstanding! These photographs of them are by GAVIN MORRISON

HARROW AND WEALDST ONE – 1952 • STEPHEN ROBERTS looks back at the 70th anniversary of England’s worst railway disaster.

GREETINGS FROM CORNWALL • CHRIS DYKES, a new colour contributor, has sent us these photographs from the Royal Duchy.

SOUTHPORT FLOWER SHOW SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS 1966-68

‘JSG’ ON SOUTHERN LINES • JOHN SPENCER GILKS travelled the length and breadth of Britain photographing railways but here is a selection depicting outings closer to his home in Surrey.

BIDSTON SHED WESTERN OUTPOST OF THE GREAT CENTRAL AND THE LONDON & NORTH EASTERN PART TWO

MORE FRUSTRATIONS OF FUEL EFFICIENCY INCOMPLETE COMBUSTION PART TWO

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