Welcome

Welcome to this special larger issue of TRACTION which focuses largely, but not exclusively, on the rail freight scene. We start with the long standing Greater Manchester Council’s ‘Binliner’ containerised refuse trains which have been operating for just over forty years. David Ratcliffe’s photos highlight the variety of locos that have hauled these trains. David Hayes concludes his account of the T42 trip freight working in the West Midlands, looking at the period until its demise in the mid 1990s. In ‘Medway Meanderings’, Keith Widdowson, a former BR manager, reveals some of the loco hauled workings he was involved with in this area dominated by electric multiple units.

From Gavin Morrison’s photo archive we have selected a variety of freight workings on the Highland lines between Perth and Georgemas Junction. David Ratcliffe returns with another selection of industrial locomotives, this time from the Leeds based firm of John Fowler & Co.

Renowned for its heavy freight traffic, the line between Severn Tunnel Junction and Cardiff attracted the attention of John Dedman’s camera in the 1980s when there was considerable variety in what could be seen in this part of South Wales. Another line that still carries much freight is the line between Chesterfield and Rotherham; Peter Rose recorded the scene throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Moving north to Scotland, Colin Howat describes freight in Ayrshire with particular emphasis on coal and iron ore traffic.

Returning to the passenger scene, Glen Batten takes a look at the final years of Cross Country loco haulage. It is hard to believe that it is now two decades since the ‘Voyagers’ replaced Class 47s and 86s on these trains. Martin Axford was attracted to East Anglia on several occasions in 1985 to witness the mixture of loco hauled and multiple unit operations and in this issue we look at his first visit, a day trip that he made in April of that year.

In TRACTION MODELLING the featured layout is the superb N Gauge Titheridge Junction layout which is set in the West Country in BR Blue days.

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CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRACTION TRACTION welcomes contributions from railway staff and enthusiasts about diesel and electric traction and railway operation. If possible articles should be sent in digital format either by email or on CD or memory stick. Photographs and slides should be scanned and also submitted in the same way. Please contact the Editor for further details and advice about scanning methods when submitting photographs.

©Warners Group Publications plc 2016 All rights reserved. Material is only accepted on the understanding that there are no copyright restrictions. Although every care will be taken, all materials submitted are at the owner’s risk and Warners Group Publications plc cannot be held responsible for loss or damage however caused. Copyright on all materials in the magazine remains vested in the Authors and Warners Group Publications plc. Reproduction of the whole or any part is forbidden without the relevant permissions. Warners Group Publications plc and the Editor cannot be held responsible for any error that might occur in the text or advertisements. Reliance placed upon the contents of the magazine is entirely at reader's own risk.

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ISSN: 1354-2680 Scan this QR code with your smartphone to link through to TRACTION’s website www.facebook.com/tractionbywarners www.traction-magazine.co.uk

• TRIP 42 TRIP 42 • NORTH OF PERTH NORTH OF PERTH • AYRSHIRE FREIGHT AYRSHIRE FREIGHT

ISSUE 271 - SEP/OCT 2022

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• ‘BINLINERS’ ‘BINLINERS’ • STJ TO CARDIFF STJ TO CARDIFF • OLD ROAD OLD ROAD •

• Model Railway: Titheridge Junction • Model Railway: Titheridge Junction • Review: Accurascale Class 55 ‘Deltic’ • Review: Accurascale Class 55 ‘Deltic’

On 8th May 1987 58001 is reversing 6T42 and its steel coil wagons into Wednesbury Exchange Sidings. PAUL DORNEY.

E-mail: steverabone@hotmail.com Editorial postal address: 120 Churchill Road, Middlesbrough TS6 9NS