Railfuture is pro-rail rather than being anti-road. However, many imagine what life might be like if roads did not dominate people’s lives as they currently do. Whilst on a business trip to Brussels, Jerry Alderson had a chance to experience what a world with far fewer cars would feel like and how the public might make use of their new freedom to walk, cycle and play in relative safety. All photos by the author.

Railfuture has long campaigned for much of Britain’s railway to be electrified, not as an end in itself but because of the benefits it can bring to passengers (and also freight users). Electrification fell out of favour in the early 1990s but came back around 2009 partly thanks to the lobbying of Railfuture’s distinguished Vice President Adrian Shooter. However, Network Rail’s inability to deliver the government’s challenging programme of electrification, not least because vital skills and experience including project management had been lost, is a major set-back. Electrifying the Gospel Oak to Barking line has been a Railfuture aspiration for a long time. Pictured above is a stanchion minus overhead wires at South Tottenham station on the GOBLIN line, where the electrification work overran. Photo by Jerry Alderson.

In spring 2017 a group of Railfuture members travelled by rail across Europe to Innsbruck in Austria. Their experience showed how easy and enjoyable rail travel can be, allowing tourists to visit several countries in one holiday, unlike many who rely upon airlines. It is noticeable how other countries have heavily invested in their railway to support tourism, which is more concerned with views from the window, comfort and ambience: characteristics not seen as a priority on enough of Britain’s railway. Top two photos by Colin Milsom. Salzburger FestungsBahn (bottom left) is a publicity photo. Bottom right photo, showing Salzburg trolley bus wires and fortress in the background, and all other photos in article by Jerry Alderson.