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 • It's in the post …

FOWLER'S FINEST…? • When Sir Henry Fowler took over as Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London Midland & Scottish Railway in 1925 he inherited from his predecessor George Hughes a recent design of 2-6-0 locomotives, the Horwich Moguls (or 'Crabs' to many enthusiasts), and a very fine class it was proving to be. A 2-6-4 tank version had already been thought of and it was left to Fowler to pursue this to fruition. The result was an excellent Class 4 tank with a welcome move at Derby Works to long lap, long travel valve gear, the first of a succession of 2-6-4Ts which, under Stanier and Fairburn, would eventually total 645 engines. These photographs of them are by GAVIN MORRISON.

RAILWAYS OF THE NORTH PENNINES LEAD MINES

“THE CHEAPNESS OF CORRESPONDENCE” HOW THE PENNY BLACK POSTAGE STAMP ROBBED THE LIVERPOOL & MANCHESTER RAILWAY • JAMES GRAHAM reflects on the circumstances which drew the early railways into the carriage of the post.

MIXED TRAINS • PETER TATLOW sets out to clarify the term 'Mixed Train'.

HOW FOUR BECAME ONE PART ONE • SIMON LILLEY looks at the companies behind the provision of electrical equipment for the modernisation of the railways.

THE BRIGHTON ATLANTICS • A notable recent event in the 'heritage' world has been the re-creation of a London, Brighton & South Coast Railway Atlantic locomotive and its entry into traffic. Here are a few pictures of these rather elegantly impressive locomotives.

THE GREAT WESTERN'S DIESEL RAILCARS

RAILWAYS AND EDINBURGHSHIRE

A SELECTION OF 4-4-0s IN IRELAND

FROM HURSTBOURNE AND ANDOVER TO KIMBRIDGE JUNCTION THE 'SPRAT & WINKLE' AND THE LONGPARISH BRANCH PART TWO

2-10-2s IN TROUBLE

TUNNELS IN THE CHURNET VALLEY

Readers'Forum • Letters intended for publication should ideally add extra detail to our articles (or offer corrections of course!) and not be too long, consistent with the detail they offer. As always, we are sorry that space and time prevent us from printing them all or sending personal replies. ED.

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