This week we are going to look at the bigger picture of heritage railways in the UK. And who better to talk to than Steve Oates, the Chief Executive of the Heritage Railway Association which is the UK-wide trade body representing heritage railways, tramways, cliff railways, museums and rolling stock owners. There are 300 members ranging from lengthy heritage railways operating historic steam locomotives, to short electric tramways and even miniature lines, together attracting more than 13 million visitors each year and generating £600m plus to the economy. Up Front & Steaming is presented by Tom Burgess for OnTrack Productions www.upfrontandsteaming.com

What’s it like to take a rusting wreck and turn it into a shiny new fully working steam locomotive. Today we talk to Ian Crowder who is part of the team on the project to bring back to life a Standard Class 4 2-6-0 locomotive. The team are based at Toddington on the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire steam railway. Not only is Ian going to talk to us about the work being done but also the history of this type of locomotive and the life story of this particular one, 76077. This third series of Up Front & Steaming is presented and produced by Tom Burgess for On Track Productions. More at www.upfrontandsteaming.com

Up Front & Steaming, the heritage steam railway podcast is launching a new series starting February 2024. Series Three brings you five new episodes, giving an insight into the people who volunteer, work and enjoy heritage railways.

In the UK, Heritage Railways employ 4,000 people, with another 22,000 volunteers, they operate 560 miles of railway, run 460 stations using 800 steam and 1,000 diesel locomotives, 2,000 carriages and 4,000 wagons. Visitors take 18.6m passenger journeys every year, covering 130m passenger miles. 

Join presenter Tom Burgess and get Up Front & Steaming