The UKs only weekly digital magazine for railway enthusiasts Sat, 12 Sep 2026 08:43:15 +0000 Sat, 12 Sep 2026 08:43:15 +0000 National Preservation https://www.national-preservation.com/forums/railway-herald.75/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 18:15:28 +0000 https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/issues-963-out-now-government-sets-new-target-for-40-rise-in-rail-freight-traffic-by-2040.1426414/ https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/issues-963-out-now-government-sets-new-target-for-40-rise-in-rail-freight-traffic-by-2040.1426414/ invalid@example.com (RHM) RHM Issue 963
Published 9 September 2026

From this issue:

• Government sets new target for 40% rise in rail freight traffic by 2040
• Positive response to initial consultation on proposed Midlands Rail Hub
• New stations to open in Bristol area and Scotland this autumn
• Preserved Class 507 EMU makes first movements on batteries

Railtours & Excursions:
Latest updates on charters; Southeastern marks 40 years of Network SouthEast; Vintage...

Issues 963 out now: Government sets new target for 40% rise in rail freight traffic by 2040]]> Wed, 02 Sep 2026 18:24:57 +0000 https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/issue-962-out-now-four-main-charter-train-operators-agree-alliance.1426390/ https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/issue-962-out-now-four-main-charter-train-operators-agree-alliance.1426390/ invalid@example.com (RHM) RHM Issue 962
Published 2 September 2026

From this issue:

• Four main charter train operators agree alliance
• ScotRail announces shortlisted constructors for new multiple unit fleets
• GWR confirms programme to tackle Class 175 fleet reliability problems
• News from around the Narrow Gauge World

Railtours & Excursions:
Latest updates on charters; 125 Group celebrates 50th Anniversary of timetable HST services; InterCity announces date for Avocet...

Issue 962 out now: Four main charter train operators agree alliance]]> Wed, 26 Aug 2026 20:04:10 +0000 https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/issue-961-out-now-network-rail-seeks-%C2%A35-million-damages-for-welsh-petroleum-spill-and-derailment.1426370/ https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/issue-961-out-now-network-rail-seeks-%C2%A35-million-damages-for-welsh-petroleum-spill-and-derailment.1426370/ invalid@example.com (RHM) RHM Published 26 August 2026

From this issue:

• Scottish Government to investigate direct sleeper links to Europe
• Regulator reaches decision on WCR application
• Brighter future for Brocklebank Line as unrestored engine could transfer to MNLPS

Railtours and Excursions:
Latest updates on charters; Regulator reaches decision on WCRC exemption application; Images from around the UK

Preservation World:
Brighter future ahead for Brocklebank Line...

Issue 961 out now: Network Rail seeks £5 million damages for Welsh petroleum spill and derailment]]> Wed, 19 Aug 2026 20:20:34 +0000 https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/issue-960-out-now-swr-and-greater-anglia-passenger-services-derail-within-24-hours.1426353/ https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/issue-960-out-now-swr-and-greater-anglia-passenger-services-derail-within-24-hours.1426353/ invalid@example.com (RHM) RHM Issue 960
Published 19 August 2026

From this issue:

• SWR and Greater Anglia passenger services derail within 24 hours
• DB Cargo UK to be sold off from German owners
• NYMR looks towards Autumn Steam Gala with big name visitors
• Narrow Gauge News

Railtours & Excursions:

• Latest updates on charters
• Trio of locos for RTC trip
• New circular tours added to A3 programme

Preservation World:

• NYMR looks towards big visitors...

Issue 960 out now: SWR and Greater Anglia passenger services derail within 24 hours]]> Wed, 12 Aug 2026 20:58:02 +0000 https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/issue-959-out-now-trenitalia-france-signs-deal-for-hitachi-rail-rolling-stock-for-cross-channel-ser.1426335/ https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/issue-959-out-now-trenitalia-france-signs-deal-for-hitachi-rail-rolling-stock-for-cross-channel-ser.1426335/ invalid@example.com (RHM) RHM Issue 959
Published 12 August 2026

From this issue:

• Trenitalia France signs deal for Hitachi Rail rolling stock for cross-channel service
• Brighton Belle moves to Derby for testing
• Manchester ROC power outage causes major disruption in North West
• Bluebell diesel gala weekend marks 40 years since launch of Network South East

Railtours & Excursions:
Latest updates on charters; Variety of workings for Vintage Trains Autumn...

Issue 959 out now: Trenitalia France signs deal for Hitachi Rail rolling stock for cross-channel ser]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2026 20:10:51 +0000 https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/issue-958-out-now-okehampton-interchange-station-opens-in-north-devon.1426321/ https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/issue-958-out-now-okehampton-interchange-station-opens-in-north-devon.1426321/ invalid@example.com (RHM) RHM Issue 958
Published 5 August 2026

From this issue:
Okehampton Interchange station opens in North Devon
EMR sustain rolling stock shortages, union action and change of Managing Director
Unique Stanier Mogul to go main line in November
News from around the Narrow Gauge Scene

Railtours & Excursions:
Latest updates on charters; New name in charters for Scotland trips; Avocet to fly in public again; BLS heading to and from Scotland; Changes for forthcoming Retro charter...

Issue 958 out now: Okehampton Interchange station opens in North Devon]]> Wed, 15 Jul 2026 21:32:40 +0000 https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/issue-957-out-now-plans-set-out-to-bring-merseyrail-under-public-ownership.1426272/ https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/issue-957-out-now-plans-set-out-to-bring-merseyrail-under-public-ownership.1426272/ invalid@example.com (RHM) RHM Issue 957
Published: 15th July 2026
In this issue:
Latest News from around the UK National Network and the heritage railways, including Plans set out to bring Merseyrail under public ownership, Work starts on new Barking Euro freight hub and Northern in discussion over future of Class 350/2s.

Railtours & Excursions:
Latest updates on charters; Main line steam stopped as heat wave continues; Sarah Siddons back on the...

Issue 957 out now: Plans set out to bring Merseyrail under public ownership]]> Wed, 08 Jul 2026 19:55:13 +0000 https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/issue-956-out-now-industry-lobbies-government-to-commit-to-targeted-electrification-programme.1426252/ https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/issue-956-out-now-industry-lobbies-government-to-commit-to-targeted-electrification-programme.1426252/ invalid@example.com (RHM) RHM Issue 956
Published: 8th July 2026

In this issue:
Latest News from around the UK National Network and the heritage railways, including Industry lobbies Government to commit to targeted electrification programme, Construction contract for new Shipley TrainCare Depot awarded and Work progresses on HS2 'cut and cover' tunnels.

Railtours & Excursions:
Latest updates on charters; Heritage DMU add-on charter for HDL trip; Class 50s to take the ECML to Edinburgh

Preservation...

Issue 956 out now: Industry lobbies Government to commit to targeted electrification programme]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2026 18:57:45 +0000 https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/issue-955-raib-issues-an-initial-update-into-bedford-rail-crash.1426238/ https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/issue-955-raib-issues-an-initial-update-into-bedford-rail-crash.1426238/ invalid@example.com (RHM) RHM Issue 955
Published: 1st July 2026
In this issue:
Latest News from around the UK National Network and the heritage railways, including RAIB issues an initial update into Bedford rail crash, Work continues on HS2 Curzon Street station and New Cambridge South station opens its doors to public services.

Railtours & Excursions:
Latest updates on charters; Varied programme on the horizon from SRPS Railtours

Preservation World:...

Issue 955: RAIB issues an initial update into Bedford rail crash]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2026 19:11:48 +0000 https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/issue-954-out-now-mr-driver-dies-in-bedford-rail-crash-with-100-people-injured.1426225/ https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/issue-954-out-now-mr-driver-dies-in-bedford-rail-crash-with-100-people-injured.1426225/ invalid@example.com (RHM) RHM Issue 954
Published: 24th June 2026
In this issue:
Latest News from around the UK National Network and the heritage railways, including EMR driver dies in Bedford rail crash, with 100 people injured, LNER marks 150th anniversary of Sir Nigel Gresley and RAIB investigation report into Talerddig head-on crash in 2024 released.

Railtours & Excursions:
Latest updates on charters; Cumbrian tunnel closure continues to impact...

Issue 954 out now: MR driver dies in Bedford rail crash, with 100 people injured]]>