Once again 22RM graces our cover, as our Tourist and Heritage Rail column covers the exciting news from Yarra Valley Railway of the establishment of their mechanical branch.. With a new, modern shed having recently been built at Healesville, the railway is now turning its attention to bringing its diesel locomotives and DERM into operating service. The railway is now hiring, with paid positions, volunteer positions and apprenticeships available in the new mechanical branch.

Nick Anchen presents another excerpt from his latest book, The Art of the Engineman. This time, it’s an interview with driver Neil Tate on what many regard to be one of Victorian Railways’ finest locomotives, the L Class electrics.

Features Editor Mark Cauchi presents a fascinating article on a spectacular train crash that happened at Croydon 90 years ago, when an empty suburban train ran away and collided at speed into a stabled suburban train in a siding. Mark presents detailed reports and many photographs of the aftermath of the collision.

We have another of our Photo in Focus series, and this time Trevor Penn takes a look at a superbly detailed photograph of Spencer Street Station in 1961 and finds many items of interest.

Our News section takes a look at the new 94 Class locomotives that recently went into interstate service, even hauling The Overland on occasion. We also revisit the issue of overcrowding on some VLocity services, and take a look at the new tunnel on the Hurstbridge Line built as part of the M80 road project.

And our usual other columns are there:

• Operations and sightings
• Infrastructure
• Tramways
• PTV service quality
• Where is it?
• Photo in focus
• Taildisc