Trains and railways: general interest Books
Crecy Publishing The Decline and Fall of the Westerham Railway: A
Book SynopsisFor over 50 years myths have abounded about the closure of the Westerham branch line. This explosive new account investigates how British Railways managers went about closing a well-loved branch line. Using official papers and documents kept hidden for many years, the book reveals how users of the line almost managed to keep it open and that BR had even started to electrify it only for Ernest Marples, the controversial Minister of Transport, to insist that closure must go ahead. Starting with a history of the branch line from Westerham through Brasted and Chevington to Dunton Green, we learn of the difficulties experienced before it opened for traffic in July 1881. However, by 1960 competition from buses meant that the railway was reportedly losing 26,000 a year and the last public services ran in October 1961. Pressure persuaded British Railways to grant a local interest group permission to lease the railway, a decision later rescinded in view of plans for what would become the M25 motorway.This unhappy story is now laid bare: warts and all. The book exposes how, when local people and enthusiasts tried to bring their railway back to life, civil servants and BR managers were panicked by the prospect that a preserved Westerham line might prove local railways could be run more efficiently, at the time when the government was determined to sacrifice the rail network upon the altar of an upgraded road system. It describes the deception and increasingly underhand methods that were used to block the scheme and how the truth of the closure
£21.21
Crecy Publishing GWR Goods Train Working: Volume 2: From Control
Book SynopsisThe name of Tony Atkins will need no introduction to followers of the Great Western Railway. In Part 2 of this monumental work on Great Western Goods working, the story is taken forward starting with 20th Century goods train on the GWR working to the various types of special traffic handled. This heavily illustrated volume looks at perishable traffic: flowers, fruit and vegetables, banana workings, as well as livestock, refrigerated and fish traffic. There are also sections on dangerous goods and exceptional loads, the movement of the latter often requiring considerable planning to avoid structures and other trains from a load which was outside the standard loading gauge. The culmination of several decades of painstaking research this complex and detailed subject is split into two volumes, both rightly deserving a place on the bookshelf of the enthusiast and historian.
£23.38
Crecy Publishing In the Tracks of the 'Bournemouth Belle': 3
Book SynopsisLuxury train travel - Pullman style - was a feature of the railways until the 1970s and in the south several regular services bore the name Pullman. One, the ''Bournemouth Belle'' was destined to become the last regular steam hauled train of its type to operate. As the name implies the service served the Dorset town, running a daily service each way from Waterloo. This was also an all-Pullman train with no ordinary coaches where smartly dressed stewards would welcome the passengers, show them to their seats with aplomb and no doubt also hope for the occasional gratuity. To travel on the service an additional supplementary fare applied whilst meals were similarly extra. On the basis of the additional cost alone it might be thought the service would hardly survive but far from it, and apart from an interruption due to war, the train operated daily from the 1930s until the end of steam in the south in July 1967. Packed with fascinating facts and a plethora of images we see the service at its peak and in its decline and well as recording its passage throughout the route from Waterloo to Bournemouth and return.
£11.66
Noodle Books Southern Steam Swansong: The Final Years 1964-67
Book SynopsisIt was during the 1964 Autumn half term that a young Paul Cooper picked up a copy of Modern Railways at Kings Cross, inside was a story announcing of the 15 million Bournemouth electrification scheme, due for completion in early 1967. He knew that would represent the elimination of a 100% steam service in a little over two years and so he resolved to record as much of the action as he could, before it was gone forever.Over the next three years, Paul fulfilled that promise by travelling all over the Southern Region, photographing not just the special services of the era, but moreover the daily workings and the scenes in the stations, sidings and workshops where steam locomotives were seeing out their final years in service.Now, to mark 50 years since the last steam services ran in the UK, Paul has teamed-up with Crécy Publishing to bring many of these glorious photographs into publication for the first time. In addition to Paul''s own photographs, Southern Steam Swansong also includes images from other photographers, including in particular a selection from a recently uncovered cache of previously unknown large format colour Ektachrome images, all recorded on a German-made Rolleiflex camera.In all, Southern Steam Swansong contains over 250 photographs, of which 187 are in colour and around 90% have never been published before. These stunning images are supported by detailed captions which tell the story not just of the images themselves, but of the people, places and machinery that were part of the Southern Railway in these years of transition from a steam railway to the diesel and electric era.As well as being of the highest technical quality, the images of Southern Steam Swansong are at once an evocative, detailed and lasting record of places and times that are now half a century behind us. Anyone with an interest in this time will find a wealth of information in these pages, and for any railway enthusiast, modeller or historian this will be the ultimate pictorial tribute to the swansong.
£23.38
Crecy Publishing Impermanent Ways Special: Part 1: Midland & South
Book SynopsisThe Midland & South Western Junction Railway, better known as the MSWJ was one of three cross-country lines that ran north-south through Southern England. Starting from Cheltenham where it rubbed shoulders with the Midland it passed through the very heart of the Great Western at Swindon and on through Marlborough to reach Andover where for the final few miles there was arrangement with the London & South Western Railway to reach Southampton. Prior to 1923 it might best be described as a cash strapped route although its fortunes finally improved considerably thanks to the involvement of a new general manager (Sir) Sam Fay. Later under the GWR that company almost seemed to eek its revenge, investing little and seemingly taking little interest in promoting what could well have been a useful through route. The MSWJ finally closed as a through line in 1961 but it lives on here with a wonderful series of images depicting both the last years and its ultimate demise the majority in colour with many published for the first time in book form.
£13.46
Crecy Publishing Impermanent Ways Special 2: The closed railway
Book SynopsisThe Midland & South Western Junction Railway, better known as the MSWJ was one of three cross-country lines that ran north-south through Southern England. Starting from Cheltenham where it rubbed shoulders with the Midland it passed through the very heart of the Great Western at Swindon and on through Marlborough to reach Andover where for the final few miles there was arrangement with the London & South Western Railway to reach Southampton. Prior to 1923 it might best be described as a cash strapped route although its fortunes finally improved considerably thanks to the involvement of a new general manager (Sir) Sam Fay. Later, under the GWR that company almost seemed to eek its revenge, investing little and seemingly taking little interest in promoting what could well have been a useful through route. The MSWJ finally closed as a through line in 1961 but it lives on here with a wonderful series of images depicting both the last years and its ultimate demise the majority in colour with many published for the first time in book form.
£13.46
Crecy Publishing Steam Around Bristol: Revised Edition
Book SynopsisThe origins of the Great Western Railway lay in the desire of leading merchants in the city of Bristol for a rapid link to London to maintain the role of the city''s port in trade with the Americas in the face of growing competition from Liverpool. The crests of both cities were incorporated into the GWR''s coat of arms. As the railway network expanded throughout the nineteenth century, Bristol became an increasingly important railway centre with the Midland Railway joining the GWR in serving the city and with tracks expanding into the docks and major industrial complexes as a consequence of increasing trade. In this new all colour book, Bristol based railway expert Gerry Nichols explores the great variety of lines and workings in the greater Bristol area that were still active from the 1950s onwards using the superb photographs taken by the late Mark Warburton. The photos are accompanied by detailed captions throughout. Contained within the pages of the book is a veritable feast of steam engines and early diesels, at work on main lines, secondary routes, branches and dock and industrial lines in and around the city. The photos cover that fascinating period in the 1950s and the early 1960s when steam was beginning to be eclipsed by modern traction. The book is an absolute delight not just for Bristolians but also for all who are interested in the city, its hinterland and in the complex network of lines which served it.
£21.21
Crecy Publishing Impermanent Ways 15: Across The Shires
Book SynopsisThis the fifteenth volume in the Impermanent Ways series, one of the most enduring and admired collections of railway titles published in recent years, is also a departure for the series as hitherto, volumes have focused on lost lines and infrastructure in different counties or geographically defined areas of the country.However, the latest addition to the series is something of a departure from previous books in that it focuses not upon the disused stations of one or two counties but instead ranges across the country from the South Coast to the Scottish Highlands to examine some of the wider aspects of railway infrastructure which has been lost including signalboxes and former steam motive power depots. It also takes a brief look at the scene in the North West of England in 1968, the final year of BR''s steam operations.One or two routes featured in these pages, such as that from Bristol to Severn Beach and Ashford to Hastings, which are still operational today, are covered, albeit the current views of these now very basic railways shows how much has been lost since they were in their prime and how very different they are today from the way they looked 50 years ago.
£11.66
Crecy Publishing The Southern Way 52: The Regular Volume for the
Book SynopsisWe are pleased to announce the forthcoming publication of the next issue of The Southern Way, the journal of record for all those interested in the history and heritage of the Southern Railway, its constituent companies and the Southern Region of British Railways. Edited by Kevin Robertson, whose extensive knowledge of all things SR and whose many publications on the railways of the south of England are well known to SR enthusiasts, each volume contains a series of authoritative articles on an always interesting range of topics, copiously illustrated with a wealth of photographs. Four issues of The Southern Way are published annually, usually in January, April, July and October and the regular issues of the journal are supplemented by occasional Southern Way Specials which focus in much greater depth on specific area of SR history, operations or traction.
£13.46
Platform 5 Publishing Ltd Austrian Railways: Locomotives, Multiple Units
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£22.95
Platform 5 Publishing Ltd Irish Railways: Locomotives, Multiple Units and
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£18.95
Platform 5 Publishing Ltd The Railways of Manchester: The Evolution and
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£38.00
Platform 5 Publishing Ltd Waterloo to the West Country: A Journey from
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£25.95
Middleton Press Nuneaton To Loughborough.: and Ashby-de-la-Zouch to Derby
£19.95
Middleton Press Ilkeston To Chesterfield: including many
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£19.95
Middleton Press Inverkeithing To Thornton Junction: Via
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£19.95
Middleton Press West Somerset Railway.
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£23.41
Middleton Press Blackburn To Skipton.
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£19.95
How2become Ltd Train Driver Situational Judgement Tests: 100
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£11.67
Crecy Publishing Yellow Trains
Book SynopsisThe ''Yellow Trains'' or to be more accurate, the various measurement and test trains operated by Network Rail are a regular sight to commuters and passengers alike on all parts of the railway system. Operated by Network Rail on behalf of any number of the various companies charged with maintaining the network, their task is to check, assess and monitor the track, bridges and tunnels on both passenger and freight only lines. In the past these checks were done principally by staff on foot, and were naturally limited to the distance it was possible to cover in a set period, or by the visual observation of bridges and tunnels often using an old coach converted for inspection purposes.Today''s high-speed railway demanded something different and as such the various test trains have evolved filled to the roof with the most sophisticated equipment to be found anywhere. Speeding along the lines at up to 125 mph, they will check the alignment of the track and distance to structures, as well as locating defects for general care and maintenance for later attention or, if the defect is serious enough, immediate attention, in which case all following traffic is stopped until a detailed check and if necessary rectification is made.Author Andrew Royle spent many years engaged as a computer technician on a variety of the different test trains and in the course of his travels covered much of the network. His story is both technical and personal, from the purpose of the equipment and how it operates to the trials and tribulations of using it.
£21.25
Crecy Publishing Swindon - The Complete Works
Book SynopsisPeter Timm''s two previous books on the subject of Swindon works have been combined and rewritten to form the basis for this enlarged work. This is a comprehensive account of the Great Western Railway''s main works in what was, in many ways, its heyday. It is written in a way that should appeal to engineers, social historians, railway enthusiasts and people looking for their Swindon ancestors.The scale is such that it is intended as a work of reference, rather than a straight cover-to-cover read. To that end, each of the twenty-five chapters has been divided into sections and there is a general index. As with most historical research, this study is researched from many varied sources not least from first-hand recollections of the men and women who worked ''inside''. The author also confronts many widely held views and dispels some of the myths. One being that everything that can be written about the GWR has already been written, this book clearly proves otherwise.In piecemeal form, much has been written about Swindon Works but many aspects of it have remained, until now, neglected. Saying that it''s ''complete'' is a bold statement, so perhaps it should be regarded as ''near enough'': that''s what old Swindonians used to say when something turned out right.
£21.25
Irwell Press MAIN LINE TO THE SOUTH PART 2: ST CROSS TO
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£27.96
Mortons Media Group Diesel Part 2: Swindon Warships
£11.69
Mortons Media Group Railway Magazine - Archive Series 1
Book SynopsisThe last great age of steam in Britain is revisited in this new collection of superb photographs from the extensive archive of the Railway Magazine. Author Pete Kelly, editor of The Railway Magazine Guide to Modelling, looks back to a time when streamlined steam express trains charged headlong through the English countryside every day of the week. The 1930s would see a host of iconic engines constructed - such as the legendary LNER A4s, the beautiful LMS Coronation Class locos, the rare LMS Princess Royal Class and the workhorse LNER Class V2 engines built in large numbers for mixed traffic. This new volume collects rare images offering a glimpse of the days when these incredible engines could be found hard at work all over Britain.
£7.59
Mortons Media Group Settle & Carlilse Revival
Book Synopsishe Settle & Carlisle railway runs across the roof of England, reaching the highest point on any main line railway in the country, and carries both passenger services and freight traffic. But it has also been fortunate enough to survive two attempts to close it and in fact should probably never have been built at all. There could now be a 72-mile abandoned trackbed passing through such places as Blea Moor, over Dent Head and Arten Gill viaducts and the legendary Ais Gill summit, but sufficient people felt strongly enough to campaign successfully to stop this happening. This is the story of the revival in the fortunes of the Settle & Carlisle. Many closed stations have reopened and been restored to their former glory, freight traffic has returned and steam-hauled excursions over the line have gone from strength to strength
£13.49
Great Northern Books Ltd Peppercorn's Pacifics
Book SynopsisArthur Henry Peppercorn, OBE (29 January 1889 - 3 March 1951) was the last Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the London and North Eastern Railway. Peppercorn finished several projects which were started by his predecessor Edward Thompson, but most popular were his LNER Peppercorn Class A1 and the LNER Peppercorn Class A2 . These were known as some of the best British steam locomotives ever in service. Upon nationalisation and the foundation of British Railways, he continued in essentially the same job, now titled "Chief Mechanical Engineer, Eastern and North Eastern Regions"; he retired at the end of 1949, two years after nationalisation. Only one of his famous Pacific locomotives, a LNER Peppercorn Class A2, 60532 Blue Peter, was preserved, but none of the LNER Peppercorn Class A1. However, a brand new A1, 60163 Tornado, built as the next in the class, has been constructed. It moved under its own steam for the first time in August 2008. The book will detail Peppercorn's life with as many personal pictures as possible. It will include black and white and colour pictures of 49 of his A1 locomotives and 15 of his A2 locomotives. The pictures will show the locomotives under construction, from the lineside and on shed.
£21.25
Great Northern Books Ltd The Golden Age of Yorkshire Railways
Book SynopsisUsing well over 200 pin sharp photographs and informative text, the book will feature many aspects of railway development in Yorkshire prior to the Grouping of railways in 1923 as well as the years afterwards, up to 1948, and the establishment of British Railways. There is an impressive geographical spread across the region, including the West, East and North Ridings. Included is an outstanding collection of photographs gathered from postcards, original prints, and from glass plate negatives. The captions are well researched and written in a non railway jargon manner, for the enjoyment of a wide audience. The pictures should be of interest well beyond the average railway enthusiast as they form strong social history in portraying such themes as contemporary life, changing fashion in dress (male and female), advertising slogans of the period and excessive numbers of railway staff at many stations. They also show the varied styles of station, bridge and viaduct architecture as well as the way communities have changed. - A lavish reasonably-priced, hardback book, roughly covering the railway period in Yorkshire 1900- 1948 - Besides locomotives, stations, bridges, viaducts and other railway subjects are illustrated - Nothing has been gathered together in such a large sized book hitherto - Over 200 pin sharp photographs beautifully printed - A wealth of facts and figures useful to social historians and railway enthusiasts alike - A fantastic glimpse into Yorkshire's railway world in the first half of the 20th century.
£16.99
Great Northern Books Ltd British Railways Standard Pacifics
Book SynopsisBritish Rail Standard Pacifics features steam locomotives in the Britannia,Duke of Gloucester, and Clan classes. - There are photographs of every Britannia class locomotive, the Duke of Gloucester and all the Clan class engines. - A book of this nature has not been seen hitherto. - There is a considerable number of evocative colour pictures as well as an abundance of pin-sharp black and white images. - The total number of pictures is around 300. - The captions are well researched and informative. - The Britannia class locomotives are seen in various locations up and down the country: in London, the West Country, East Anglia, North West, Yorkshire and many other areas. The Clan Class are mainly seen operating in Scotland but a few are seen south of the Border. - Many engines are depicted undertaking a variety of duties as well as being captured on shed. Several are seen on works and on the scrap line. - The book will be of interest to both rail enthusiasts and social historians alike.
£21.25
Great Northern Books Ltd London Midland Steam 1948 to 1966
Book SynopsisThe book concentrates on the London Midland Region in the final years of steam traction covering the period 1948 to 1966. All major London Midland Region towns and cities are represented. - A fascinating collection of hitherto unpublished black and white photographs by former Senior British Medical Council researcher, Ben Brooksbank. - Over 275 photographs are included. - The photographs show remarkable clarity even though photographic materials were difficult to obtain during the immediate post-war period. - Many different classes of locomotives are featured, ranging from the old Midland and LNWR engines ready for withdrawal in the late 1940s, the ex- MR Johnson 0-6-0s which would survive a little longer, the Fowler classes quietly going about their business, the Stanier Class 5 and 8Fs covered in grime, but still efficient, while a bit of 'glamour' is provided by (some) neatly turned out named 'Jubilee' 4-6-0s and 'Coronation' Pacifics. The next generation of locomotives - the BR Standards - also appear, with the 'Britannia' Pacifics included along with Class 5 4-6-0s, Class 4 4-6-0s, Class 4 2-6- 0s, Class 3 2-6-2Ts and the heavy freight 9F 2-10-0s. - Photographs have been taken from the line-side, on station platforms, on shed, around a number of Works and along lines which have long since disappeared. - The captions are well researched and include locomotive details as well as historical information about the various routes, stations and other architectural features
£16.99
Great Northern Books Ltd Gresley's A4's
Book SynopsisIn the mid-1930s, eminent locomotive engineer Sir Nigel Gresley produced plans for the A4 Class Pacifics, which were specially built to work a new high-speed express, the ‘Silver Jubilee’. From the start, the class caused a sensation and immediately secured the admiration of the general public. Gresley’s A4s captures these worldfamous locomotives throughout their life, with over 300 excellent colour and black and white images present in this collection, which is arguably the greatest ever assembled on the class. Photographs of every locomotive in the LNER and BR periods are included. Overa dozen A4s feature in a chapter dedicated to the 1946 renumbering, which lasted only two/three years, making pictures of them particularly rare. The A4s are shown at major centres on the East Coast Main Line, such as King’s Cross station, Peterborough, Grantham, Doncaster, York, Darlington, Newcastle and Edinburgh Waverley. Also, images taken during the twilight years in Scotland are included. The surviving engines are seen at several locations in the country – Aberdeen, Glasgow and Perth. A number of images are from the lineside at various points, or wayside stations and water troughs. Some classmembers have been photographed at sheds when being serviced, or under repair at workshops. Many of the famous trains worked by the A4s are presented, such as the ‘Silver Jubilee’, ‘Coronation’, ‘West Riding Limited’ and ‘Flying Scotsman’, then later the ‘Capitals Limited’, ‘Elizabethan’, ‘The Talisman’, etc. The class were often selected to head special trains and there are several examples of this in Gresley’s A4s. The pictures are accompanied by interesting and informative captions that provide details from the history of each locomotive, as well as the class.
£23.38
Graffeg Limited Lost Lines of Wales: Rhyl to Corwen
Book SynopsisAuthors Paul Lawton and David Southern continue this series of pocket books exploring Wales'' railway heritage, each revealing a ''lost line'' of Wales. In this addition, take a nostalgic, fully illustrated, steam-powered journey back in time on the long-closed service between Corwen and Rhyl. A historic line dating back to 1856, passenger services were depleted and finally withdrawn.
£8.99
Graffeg Limited Lost Lines of Wales: Bangor to Afon Wen
Book SynopsisAuthors Paul Lawton and David Southern continue this series of pocket books exploring Wales'' railway heritage, each revealing a ''lost line'' of Wales. In this edition, take a nostalgic steam-powered journey back in time on the long-closed service between Bangor and Afon Wen, cut as part of the Beeching Axe in 1964. Fully illustrated with black and white photographs.
£8.99
Graffeg Limited Lost Lines of Wales: The Heads of the Valleys
Book SynopsisAuthor Geoffrey Lloyd continues this series of pocket books exploring Wales''s railway heritage, each revealing one of the nation''s ''lost lines''. The closure of many of these lines has had significant and lasting impact, and the recovery of some routes is of public relevance and a source of debate today.
£8.99
Graffeg Limited Lost Lines of England: The Cheddar Valley Line
Book SynopsisThe Yatton to Witham line was one of the prettiest and best-loved railways in Somerset and is remembered with great affection by locals and railway enthusiasts alike. It ran along the edge of the Mendip Hills through Cheddar, Wells and Shepton Mallet. Today, walkers and cyclists enjoy stretches of it as the Cheddar Valley path.
£8.99
Key Publishing Ltd RAILWAYS OF CENTRAL SCOTLAND: Britain’s Railways
Book SynopsisThe five years either side of the millennium was a period of great change on the railway network with the advent of privatisation and, on the passenger side, the introduction of franchised operations. On the freight side, the original British Railways network was initially split into three companies - Mainline, Loadhaul and Transrail - but they all ended up being purchased by EWS, the English, Welsh and Scottish Railway. The period saw new rolling stock, new locomotives and a staggering number of different liveries. Illustrated with over 150 colour photographs, this book records some of the many changes to the main route network in Central Scotland, capturing the last days of some of the older classes before they were phased out and, equally, documenting the new as they came in. By 2005, the railways of Central Scotland had evolved almost beyond recognition when compared with how things had been ten years earlier and in this volume Ian Lothian provides an interpretation as to how things were and how they have been transformed over a decade.
£13.49
Key Publishing Ltd CORNISH RAILWAYS: Saltash to St Austell
Book SynopsisThis, the first of two volumes covering the railways of Cornwall, follows the railway through the changing landscapes of the county. It takes the reader from the rich farmland west of St Germans, through the unique Glynn Valley down to Bodmin Road and the freightabundant area of Lostwithiel and Par before reaching clay country on the way to the final destination of St Austell. In addition, also explored are the branch lines, which range from the rural line to Looe, the splendour of the River Fowey on the clay line to Carne Point and the varied and ever-popular Newquay branch. Lavishly illustrated with 180 full-colour photographs, many set in glorious countryside, this book shows a variety of locomotives. Service trains dominate the images, though there are many charter trains featured, some with exotic traction for the far south west. Taken from the short days of winter with piercing low sunlight, to the long days of high summer when the upside of the Cornish mainline is lit, allowing a different perspective, the photographs capture not just the trains, but the beautiful landscapes, rivers and coastline of the Duchy.
£13.49
Key Publishing Ltd THE LAST OF THE WELSH COAL TRAINS: The Railways
Book SynopsisDespite the substantial decline of coal mining in the UK over the last three decades, until recently, coal was still a vital energy source for the nation's power stations. During 2013 and 2014, coal accounted for 36 per cent of all UK rail freight, but that amount plummeted in 2015 due to the doubling of the top-up carbon tax, a measure implemented to encourage power stations to use greener fuels. With the government's phase-out of all coal-fired power stations by 2025, many have already closed. South Wales is one of the last places in the UK where coal is still mined and despatched by rail for domestic consumption. Aberthaw power station was the principal customer for this coal until 2017, when they turned to imported coal. This measure was taken to reduce toxic nitrogen emissions at the plant and was the beginning of the end for the power station, which finally closed in late 2019. Coal is still mined in South Wales and is supplied by rail to Tata steel in Port Talbot, to British Steel's Scunthorpe works, to Breedon cement works in Derbyshire and to Immingham for export. However, the future of the industry remains uncertain as we move away from fossil fuels towards more eco-friendly forms of energy. This book looks at the last of the coaling operations in South Wales, from 2013 to early 2020, and features over 190 colour images of coal trains running to and from the mine sites along the scenic South Wales Valleys and the picturesque stretch of coastline that the Vale of Glamorgan line takes to Aberthaw.
£13.49
Key Publishing Ltd International Passenger Locomotives: Since 1985
Book SynopsisAs traditional locomotive haulage declined in the UK and many enthusiasts' favourite classes were withdrawn or taken off passenger work, British Rail fans began to broaden their horizons in the 1980s and look at the railway networks of other countries. For many, their first ports of call were the nearer continental European countries, with Germany proving particularly popular as it still featured locomotive haulage over much of its network, even on the smaller branch lines. Ireland also proved popular as their services were almost exclusively loco-hauled. As more enthusiasts traveled abroad and information and number lists became more available, foreign rail holidays became ever more popular, with worldwide favorites including the USA, with its long history of diesel traction and iconic locomotives, and India, with its extensive system and thousands of locomotives. As locomotive haulage declines in the rest of the world, British 'bashers' are becoming ever more adventurous with most countries, even North Korea, regularly featuring organised visits for enthusiasts. Today, British enthusiasts are found participating in their hobby all over the world and this book, featuring over 160 colour photographs, summarises some of the more popular destinations and locomotives that they travel abroad for. 160 colour illustrations
£13.49
Key Publishing Ltd Cornish Rail: St Austell to Penzance
Book SynopsisThis book follows the railway through the eye-catching scenery of the west of the county. Over 180 stunning full-colour photographs take the reader on a journey that starts in St Austell, against the backdrop of the clay workings, before moving on through the rich, arable farmland that surrounds the line on the way to the capital city, Truro. West of Truro, the landscape is littered with former mine workings and signs of its rich industrial heritage. The scenery then changes as the line continues on past the busy fruit farms west of Camborne and proceeds on to Hayle. Once across Hayle's unique viaduct, it runs through St Erth before passing St Michael's Mount, skirting Mounts Bay and finishing at the terminus of Penzance. Also explored are the existing branches that are still running, including the Burngullow to Parkandillack line, the only freight-only branch still running, and the passenger branch lines of Truro to Falmouth and St Erth to St Ives. Nostalgically, the Hayle Wharves branch has been included and is the only line in the volume that no longer exists. 180 illustrations
£13.49
Strathwood Ltd STEAM'S LAMENT Bulleid's Light Pacifics
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£27.96
Unique Publishing Services Ltd The Withered Arm: Southern Lines to the Far West
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£9.99
Unique Publishing Services Ltd Railways of East Sussex: 1948 - 1968
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£10.44
John Beaufoy Publishing Ltd Great Railway Journeys in Europe
Book SynopsisGreat Railway Journeys in Europe features 34 fascinating journeys in North-West, Nordic, Central, Southern and South-East Europe, ranging from cross-continental adventures to short, nostalgic excursions by steam train. There are journeys through stunning scenery, such as the trip on The Rauma Line in Norway; tracks that defy the terrain, such as the routes through the Swiss Alps, and journeys that link famed cities in France, Spain, Austria and Italy. Photographs illustrate the spectacular routes, remarkable locomotives and unique station architecture. For each journey, details cover technical information on the track, descriptions of the scenery the trains pass through, notable facts about the destinations and factual information on ticketing. Each journey is plotted on a route map. Whether you are planning a special trip by train or delighting in discovering Europe's best railway journeys from the comfort of your armchair, this book is an informative and entertaining read.
£21.25
Key Publishing Ltd Railways of Central Scotland: 2006–15
Book SynopsisThe years between 2006 and 2015 saw many changes in Central Scotland's railways with projects such as the rebuilding and reopening of the lines from Maryhill to Anniesland and the Larkhall branch, as well as the opening of the Stirling to Alloa and Kincardine line in 2008, followed by the Airdrie to Bathgate route in December 2010. Illustrated with over 150 colour photographs, this volume looks at the transformation of the main route network in Central Scotland, over the ten-year period, detailing changing franchises, different liveries and new lines, locomotives and rolling stock. 150 illustrations
£13.49
Key Publishing Ltd Scottish Railways: The Last 15 Years
Book SynopsisThe last 15 years have seen many changes in Scotland's rail network, including the replacement of old rolling stock, an explosion of colourful liveries, the opening of routes, the demise of coal trains and a boom in container freight traffic. Furthermore, electrification has changed a number of the lines beyond recognition. These changes have led to new electric units ousting the diesels and the introduction of HSTs on services between the Scottish cities. Illustrated with over 180 images, this book details the huge variety of trains, ranging from the everyday to the unusual, that have been seen on Scotland's rails in the last 15 years.
£13.49
Key Publishing Ltd Railways of the South East: Sussex and its
Book SynopsisThe first of two volumes covering the railways of the South East, this book focuses mainly on Sussex but also includes small sections of Surrey and Kent. It concentrates on locomotive-hauled traffic and details a wide range of trains including inter-regional passenger, parcels and mail, fuel, heavy freight, test trains, engineers traffic, Rail Head Treatment Trains, Snow and Ice Treatment Trains, railtour excursions and the luxurious Orient Express. An extensive range of different liveries, many now consigned to history on the main line, are shown. There is also a small selection of DEMUs in some of the areas they once operated. Over 180 colour photographs, the vast majority of which have never been published before, serve to illustrate some of the wonderful countryside to be found in this corner of England as well as the trains that run through it. They are complemented by informative captions detailing not only the trains themselves but also some of the infrastructure and features found along the routes covered. 180 illustrations
£13.49
Key Publishing Ltd Diesels in East Yorkshire: Four Decades of Change
Book SynopsisThis photographic journey illustrates East Yorkshire's fascinating passenger and freight trains, railway infrastructure, stations and signalling over a 40-year period from the late 1970s. Local knowledge has enabled many unrepeatable workings or interesting visiting locomotives to be captured on film giving a comprehensive record of the many changes that have taken place in the railways of East Yorkshire. The over 180 color photographs, many of which have never been published before, illustrate rail services have grown or declined and the infrastructure of the railways has evolved over 40 years to meet the needs of the modern railway era.
£13.49
Key Publishing Ltd HSTs: The Western Region
Book SynopsisAlthough in the late 1970s they were frowned upon by many for replacing a number of loco-hauled services, and indeed locomotives, for 40 years the High-Speed Train (HST) was the mainstay of express services for many train operators in the UK. It was in the former Western Region of British Rail that they first made their mark in service, and they were on duty there from their earliest days until 2019 when, after years of sterling work, they were withdrawn from frontline express duties. Illustrated with over 190 colour photographs, this book looks at the history of many of the power cars that worked in the region and details the varied Western Region locations, some off the beaten track, where they could be seen operating during their four decades of service. 190 colour photographs
£14.39
