Welcome
There was a time when railway nostalgia was all about steam. But for a growing number of railway enthusiasts, the diesel & electric era holds a great fascination which was not given the coverage it deserved in the traditional titles. In 1994 Traction magazine was launched to redress the balance. Regular features include fascinating insight from those who actually worked with this form of motive power during the BR years, memories of enthusiasts recalling trips behind their favourite locomotives, visits to depots, or the view from the lineside and platform end. Each issue also contains numerous nostalgic photos from the glory days of diesel & electric traction in the UK. Some relevant coverage from the current day is also included, along with reviews and a smattering of modelling for good measure. It continues to offer an alternative to those whose first love is travelling behind, looking at or photographing classic diesel & electric locos and units, plus those who recall the varied delights of the real railway.
This Month
In the 'new look' magazine for April there's a number of new features including news pages, a look back at certain times in history in D&E Decades and the return of the photographic showcase that is the Gallery. As well as these new pages, there's 16 pages of Traction Modelling, including Paul Warburton's Beeches TMD, his first attempt at a OO gauge exhibition layout, a full review of Bachmann's OO gauge 4-CEP EMU and a taster of Digital Command Control.
In the main magazine, Tony Buckton reminisces on acetic acid workings in Remember the Smellies? John Wells takes us on a tour round South Wales industrial lines in the Cynon Vally in BR blue days, Paul Nash shows us motive power in multiple in Loco Line ups and Michael Mercer tells us about life as a Loco Controller in the '80s at Liverpool Street. Plus all the regular reviews, letters and heritage update photos that are core features.