Locomotives Illustrated was founded in 1975 by Geoffrey Freeman Allen with the intention of creating a series of magazines, each issue dedicated to an individual class of British steam locomotive.
Ian Allan Publishing, were keen to revamp it.
Ian Allan approached Colin J Marsden, former editor of Railways Illustrated, to take over the editorship and re-launch the magazine as Modern Locomotives Illustrated with a focus on modern diesel and electric locomotives and multiple units.
and Modern Locomotives Illustrated began from issue 171 in May 2008.
[1] The publishers originally envisaged a run of 66 issues, which is expected to rise to closer to 80.