Trains and railways: general interest Books

Book SynopsisThe World's Great Railway Journeys takes readers on anunforgettable ride through 26 of the most iconic, scenic, and thrilling railroutes across the globe. From legendary transcontinental adventures like the Trans-SiberianRailway, Australia's Indian Pacific, and The Canadian, to breathtaking mountainclimbs and coastal views aboard the Glacier Express in Switzerland or the Settle& Carlisle in the UK, this beautifully illustrated guide celebrates theromance, grandeur, and variety of world-class train travel. The book features adiverse mix of steam-powered heritage lines, including France's Vivarais Lineand the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad in the U.S., as well as luxurycruise trains such as India's Royal Orient Express, Africa's Blue Train, and Spain'sAl-Andalus. It also explores more daring routes through remote or dramaticterrain, from Puno to Cuzco in Peru, across the Khyber Pass, or from Beijing toHanoi. Of course, no collection would be complete without the most iconic ofall: the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Whether you're a train enthusiast, aglobe-trotting adventurer, or a dreamer drawn to the golden age of travel, TheWorld's Great Railway Journeys is a compelling celebration of trains,landscapes, and the joy of the journey itself.

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Book SynopsisIn this our fifth book in this modelling series we undertake an excursion into a new scale, modelling in TT120. Falling between the popular stalwarts of OO and N, the Market Deeping club were challenged to create a display layout in this scale, based upon the Devon Riviera coastal railway. In doing so they explored the arguments for and against the scale. Working with the challenges of if I have X space what will fit into it?' and if I am depicting a scenario what space do I need?' the club engineered the line alongside the famed red cliffs beloved of so many holidaymakers to run with full length HST consists. We illustrate a single day at Holcombe Beach' near Teigmouth, with the approaching Great Storm of 1987. The reward at exhibition is immediate recognition of the coastal strip and a flood of reminiscences from viewers. We also created a plan B practice layout based on County Durham to fit the early Hornby steam rolling stock releases. The Market Deeping Club commenced writing modelling books after experiencing extensive vandalism of their annual Stamford model railway exhibition in May 2019. The skills built up in rebuilding damaged, or replacing broken layouts, has led to a nimble team able to put their skills into a scale where initial perception of size is difficult, and resources feel thin on the ground.

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Book SynopsisThe need to learn the skills necessary to drive a steam locomotive safely and efficiently did not disappear with the end of the Steam Age on Britain''s railways. Indeed, such knowledge is vital to the future survival of the many successful heritage lines in operation today, many of which offer footplate courses to would-be drivers, a testimony of the enduring appeal of working with steam. First published in 1998, this is a reprint of an indispensable guide for footplatemen and aspiring heritage railway volunteers. Packed with diagrams and detailed text, every aspect of working with steam locomotives and their equipment is covered. In this comprehensive practical manual, former BR steam engineman Brian Topping conducts us along the traditional learning path from cleaner to fireman to driver, reminding us that for all the glamour of the footplate, there is also a great deal of dirty and strenuous work involved. With nearly 300 illustrations, including more than 70 diagrams, this is very much a ''hands-on'' guide to all aspects of the various types of steam locomotive likely to be encountered on today''s heritage railways. It covers not only the mechanical anatomy of the locomotive, but also such matters as maintenance, lubrication, braking systems, valve gear, firing techniques, footplate controls, basic railway signalling, and much more. It concludes with descriptions of typical journeys from both the fireman and driver''s points of view. Whether you are an established driver wishing to brush up on your locomotive knowledge, an armchair enthusiast, or a would-be volunteer keen to get your hands dirty, this is the indispensable aid to safe and successful steam locomotive driving and management.

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Book SynopsisEurope by Eurail has been the train traveler's one-stop source for visiting Europe's cities and countries by rail for nearly fifty years. Newly revised and updated, this comprehensive annual guide provides the latest information on fares, schedules, and pass options, as well as detailed information on more than one hundred specific rail excursions and sightseeing options.

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Book SynopsisWe are pleased to announce the forthcoming publication of the next two issues 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, August 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.

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Book SynopsisAs the hugely popular Llangollen Railway recovers from a financially troubled Lockdown period, we are delighted to present this 120 page hardback photographic album of the railway at its brilliant best!

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Book SynopsisJapan is steeped in legend and myth, perhaps the greatest of which is the popular misconception that the country is simply too expensive to visit. The truth is that flights to Japan are cheaper than they've ever been, accommodation can be great value, while the warm hospitality which awaits every visitor costs nothing at all. The real secret to travelling around the country on a budget, however, is the Japan Rail Pass. Use this comprehensive guide in conjunction with a rail pass to get the most out of a trip to Japan. * Practical information - planning your trip; when to go; suggested itineraries; what to take; festivals and events. * City guides and maps - where to stay, where to eat, what to see in 30 towns and cities; historical and cultural background. * Kilometre-by-kilometre route guides - covering train journeys from the coast into the mountains, from temple retreat to sprawling metropolis and from sulphurous volcano to windswept desert; 33 route maps. * Japan Rail service schedules - Bullet trains and main routes in this guide. * Customs, etiquette, Japanese words and phrases - with kanji- With kanji/hiragana/katakana for all place name text - readers can point to the text when asking Japanese speakers for directions. * Extended Highlights - extra colour sections make this book even more user-friendly and attractive. What's new in this fully-updated 5th edition? * Greater coverage of Tokyo with additional mapping following post-Olympic interest in the capital and the country * More hot-spring resorts added (including Kinosaki, Kinugawa and Nyuto) * More information about areas off the beaten track including the wood-carving town of Inami, Yanagawa where you can ride in a 'gondola' along its canals, Tomioka Silk Mill (where silk production was first mechanised), Okunoshima island (notorious for its WWII poison gas factory) * New Style Trailblazer guide with twin-colour layout and restyled maps * Expanded colour section with 'Best' lists to help plan a trip * Kanji and katakana are now included for all place names * Fully updated post Covid outbreak.Trade Review'no visitor to Japan should be without their own copy' - Wisconsin Bookwatch (US); Reviews for previous editions: 'A must for any travel or train buff's collection... covers everything from Japanese words and phrases to railway timetables. This new edition includes recent extensions to several train lines plus further coverage of popular tourist destinations and less-traveled ares nearby'.--California Book Watch (USA) 'Excellent guide'--The Sunday Times (UK) 'A find.... Well researched'--The Japan Times (Japan) 'Practical, highly interesting and should enable the visitor to save money and add to the enjoyment of Japan'.--National Railway Museum Journal (UK) 'One of my favourite and most used guidebooks'--South China Morning Post (Hong Kong) 'A great primer'--The Daily Telegraph (UK) 'An invaluable companion'--Railway Magazine (UK) 'If you are coming from outside Japan, this is quite possibly the best single guidebook you can bring'.--Japan Visitor Guide (Japan) 'Brilliantly informative guide'--JTB Europe (Japan Travel Bureau) 'A gem'--The Daily Yomiuri (Japan)

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Book SynopsisThink of Brighton as a rail centre and the natural and understandable perception will be that of a terminus served by electric trains including of course the famous Pullman ''Brighton Belle''. The Southern Railway electrified the Brighton main line as far back as 1933. Electrification was subsequently extended to include the line along the coast west to Chichester and eventually Portsmouth. However, this did not mean the end of steam, for Brighton remained an important steam centre operating local and long distance steam services such as those to Bournemouth and Plymouth, right up to the early 1960s. In addition, Brighton works was active in building and maintaining steam locomotives and steam was also dominant on the branch and cross country lines north and east to places like Steyning or east towards Lewes and Eastbourne. Near the works was a large steam shed and just a few miles out of town were the works of the Pullman Car Company at Preston Park. Arguably the most unusual of the steam trains in the Brighton area were the through goods workings running west to the east and vice versa. Because there was no direct link between the east and west coast lines, these goods train were thus compelled to turn north upon reaching Brighton and then be pulled back into the station after which they could then retrace their steps and head off in the required direction. This strange ritual, which continued for decades, led to unusual and regular sight of steam powered goods trains in the platforms of the terminus. All these aspects and more are illustrated in this new Southern Way Special which focuses on the fascinating railway scene at Brighton, primarily in the 1950s, but also in the 40s and 60s. As with the other Specials, the book is heavily illustrated has a comprehensive introduction, maps and informative extended captions.

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Book SynopsisSet against a backdrop of the wonderful scenic beauty of Scotland's Highlands, this book illustrates the area's fascinating passenger and freight trains, railway infrastructure, stations and signalling over a 40-year period. Using photographs taken mainly by two railway enthusiasts who have made regular and frequent visits to the area, the reader is taken on a captivating photographic journey north from Perth to Inverness, Kyle of Lochalsh, Wick and Thurso. En route, many of the locations on the railway and the variety of locomotives and multiple units that have appeared in the area from 1979 to 2019 are shown. This volume includes over 180 historic photographs, most of which have never been published before, each accompanied by an extensive caption. Together they form a comprehensive historic record of the trains in Highland Scotland north of Perth, including some of the changes that have taken place in the railways of the area. They illustrate the growth and decline of passenger and freight services and how the infrastructure of the railways has evolved through a period of four decades to meet the needs of the modern railway era.

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Book SynopsisBorn in Manchester, Tim Parks grew up in London and studied at Cambridge and Harvard. In 1981 he moved to Italy where he has lived ever since. He is the author of novels, non-fiction and essays, including Europa, Cleaver, A Season with Verona and Teach Us to Sit Still. He has won the Somerset Maugham, Betty Trask and Llewellyn Rhys awards, and been shortlisted for the Booker Prize. He lectures on literary translation in Milan, writes for publications such as the New Yorker and the New York Review of Books, and his many translations from the Italian include works by Moravia, Calvino, Calasso, Tabucchi and Machiavelli.Trade ReviewAll Italy is here, its history, its character, its flaws * Sunday Times *A treat equivalent to a ride on the Orient Express * Wall Street Journal *Like the best train journeys, you don’t want it to end * New Statesman *A very funny hosanna to Italian railroad locomotion in all its rackety glory * Evening Standard, Books of the Year *Parks has the keenest of eyes for the telling of amusing detail ... He remains the best interpreter of Italian ways in Italy * Sunday Herald *Tim Parks has written a book about Italian railways that is engrossing, entertaining, and wonderfully revealing about the country and its people. It makes perfect armchair travelling – a delight from beginning to end -- David LodgeAll Italy is here, its history, its character, its flaws, and some of the things that Parks loves about the place * Sunday Times *The book is, as Tim Parks says, a search for the Italian character, which he evokes in dozens of gorgeously written scenes; but beyond that Parks is exploring the dynamic between tradition and innovation... Underneath everything, Parks is trying to come to a point of loving the world in all its confusion and frustration, and by the book's end he does, he does. Bravo -- David ShieldsThis latest peg on which to hang another ruminative book about the character of Italy provides Parks with a first-class ticket to ride as a lively, erudite raconteur in salty daily negotiation with what he calls a ‘dystopian paradise’ -- Iain Finlayson * The Times *With Paul Theroux apparently winding down, there might be an opening for Parks as a new laureate of international railways -- Andrew Martin * Observer *

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Book SynopsisAn archaeological and archival deep dive into this historic steam locomotive

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Book SynopsisBristol is a perfect city to explore on foot and the Severn Beach Line is the gateway to some of its finest sights. This guide has short strolls exploring Georgian crescents and city parks and all-day excursions through ancient woodlands, eighteenth-century estates and river gorges. It also includes a brief history of the Severn Beach Line.Trade ReviewThis book is more than just a walks book with maps and pubs, it is a veritable mine of information. It is profusely illustrated with colour plates and historic photos, a huge amount of historical detail on points passed, including quotes from the Bristol Mercury, a good bibliography and a history of the Severn Beach Line ... The diversity of Bristol is amazing. A wonderful book which puts each route into context with its industrial past. (From the BIAS Newsletter)Table of ContentsForeword by George Ferguson Introduction 1 Barton Hill, St Anne's Valley, Arno's Vale & Windmill Hill Lawrence Hill - Bedminster (7 miles) or Temple Meads (81/2 miles) 2 Bristol's Lost Railways Lawrence Hill - Temple Meads (71/2 miles) 3 Trooper's Hill, Royate Hill & St George Circular walk from Lawrence Hill (6 miles) 4 The Frome Valley Stapleton Road - Parkway (11 miles) 5 Montpelier, Stoke's Croft, St Paul's & Kingsdown Circular walk from Montpelier (4 miles) 6 St Andrew's, St Werburgh's & Montpelier Circular walk from Montpelier (41/2 miles) 7 Purdown, Stoke Park, Frenchay, Oldbury Court & Stapleton Circular walk from Montpelier (10 miles) 8 Redland, Henleaze, Westbury and the Trym Valley Redland - Sea Mills (9 miles) 9 Cotham, Clifton Wood, Hotwells & Clifton Redland - Clifton Down (6 miles) 10 Clifton, Brandon Hill, Christmas Steps & the Walled City Clifton Down - Temple Meads (5 miles) 11 Leigh Woods, Abbot's Pool & Ashton Court Circular walk from Clifton Down (13 miles) 12 Coombe Dingle, Henbury, Blaise Castle & Kingsweston Circular walk from Sea Mills (9 miles) 13 Lost Gardens, Spas & Railways of the Avon Gorge Sea Mills - Temple Meads (7 miles) 14 Pill, Paradise Bottom & the Avon Walkway Shirehampton - Temple Meads (11 miles) 15 Pilning, Patchway & Bradley Stoke Severn Beach - Parkway (11 miles) 16 Severn Shore & Severn Bridge Severn Beach - Chepstow (9 miles) or Severn Tunnel Jn (13 miles) The Severn Beach Line: A Brief History A Trip along the Line References Bibliography & Online Resources Acknowledgements & Picture Credits General Index Pub Index

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Book Synopsis'Crackles and sparks with life like an exploding box of Diwali fireworks' -William Dalrymple'One can only envy Monisha Rajesh as she embarks on this epic journey' -Tim ParksWhen she was a child, Monisha Rajesh's family uprooted to Madras in the hope of making India their home, but soon returned to England with a bitter taste in their mouths. Two decades on, Monisha turns to a map of the Indian Railways and takes a page out of Jules Verne's classic tale, embarking on an adventure around India in 80 trains, covering 40,000km - the circumference of the Earth.Her journey takes her on toy trains, luxury trains, Mumbai's infamous commuter trains and even a hospital on wheels. Along the way she meets a kaleidoscope of characters and discovers why the railways are considered the lifeline that keeps the country's heart beating. Most of all, she hopes that these 80 train journeys will lift the veil on a country that has become a stranger to her.Trade ReviewA wonderfully wry and witty debut. Crackles and sparks with life like an exploding box of Diwali fireworks.I love train trips and I love travelling around India. If you do too, then this book is a wonderful companion.A great big lovely shambling train ride of a book, offering wonderful views, hilarious interludes, all sorts of dodgy characters and some very peculiar smells, all for the one ticket.One can only envy Monisha Rajesh as she embarks on this epic journey through the vast tangle and bewildering extension of India's railways. The ticketing bureaucracy is mad, the travelling companions infinitely varied, the pleasure, discomforts and revelations such that she is guaranteed what even the wriest and most sceptical traveller yearns for: some deeper knowledge of oneself.A promising debut from a writer to watch. I am stung with jealousy, not just for the epic journey she makes rediscovering her Indian heritage on ordinary trains, luxury trains, Mumbai's packed commuter trains, even a toy train but just for the talismanic power of such a ticket: the idea that you could have one in your hand tomorrow and just go! * Condé Nast Traveller *This beautifully written book is a witty and insightful traveller's-eye view of the country from inside its rail network. It is also an account of a life-shaping journey. An assortment of mustachioed maharajas, wicked wedding-crashers, pinstriped Sikhs, indignant inspectors, spotty know-it-alls in Che Guevara T-shirts and crafty rickshaw drivers bursts from the pages... all of this is done with the lightest of touches and a dry wit. There are laugh-out-loud moments at which seasoned and fresh Indian travellers will cringe with recognition: male snoring on the trains; the drastic effects of the Imodium pill; 87 very good reasons why you should never eat Indian bacon. This excellent debut will stand the test of time. Just like India's railways. * Sunday Telegraph *Remember Wes Anderson's film The Darjeeling Limited, about train journeys in India? Here's the book version. You'll be booking a flight by the final page. * Company *Amusing and thoughtful by turns, Rajesh has sidestepped the navel-gazing pitfall common to many wannabe travel writers and piped up with an informative, yet fresh and engaging voice that we will surely be hearing more of. Rating: 9/10 * The Press Association *A rollicking account of Modern India at express pace: from the good sprawling temples and scrapping tigers to the bad groping passengers, churning stomachs and officious ticket inspectors. Rajesh's quick-fire writing is unflinchingly frank, with details packed in as tightly as passengers on Mumbai's commuter trains. A lively read. * Lonely Planet Magazine *

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Book SynopsisJoin Thomas and friends for a fun-filled adventure in this All Engines Go picture book!Kana hopes to compete in the action-packed Sodor Cup Race, but when her partner Kenji suffers a damaged fender, Thomas bravely steps up to the challenge.Can he and Kana overcome the many obstacles and work together as a team to win the Sodor Cup?ReadySetToot toot!Thomas has been teaching children lessons about life and friendship for over 75 years. He ranks alongside other beloved characters such as Paddington Bear, Winnie-the-Pooh and Peter Rabbit as an essential part of our literary heritage.More Thomas All Engines Go stories to share:Thomas & Friends: Chasing Rainbows ISBN 9780008534097Thomas & Friends: Thomas & Bruno ISBN 9780008537074Thomas & Friends: The Biggest Adventure Club ISBN 9780008615598Thomas & Friends: Meet Team Thomas ISBN 9780008616816Thomas & Friends: Feelings ISBN 9780008615505Thomas & Friends: Peep! Peep! Potty Star ISBN 9780008534172Thomas & Friends: Potty Star! Sticker Activity ISBN 9780008534271Thomas & Friends: Magnet Book ISBN 9780008586874

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Book SynopsisFormerly known as the North and West Route, the Welsh Marches Line runs for 95 miles from Newport to Shrewsbury. It is a vital rail passenger link between Wales, Northern England (to Manchester via Crewe) and the Midlands. It also connects North Wales and South Wales. The route sweeps through delightful countryside on the borderlands of England and Wales. It is unique in that ithas one of the longest sections of railway line on the network in the UK that still uses the steam age Absolute Block method of signalling to control the trains, operated by mechanical signals from 16 consecutive signal boxes, the most continuous number of signal boxes anywhere on a stretch of line in the UK. It also has the distinction of operating the largest working mechanical signal box in the world, Shrewsbury's Severn Bridge Junction, located just outside Shrewsbury station. Although freight traffic has reduced considerably in recent years, steel, timber and aggregates continue to be important freight flows. The diminishing number of locomotive hauled freight trains, however, has been offset in the past few years by the introduction of locomotive hauled premier passenger services. Indeed, it is exceptional for being one of the few lines on the UK network to operate regular premier services with dedicated first-class carriages, including chef, from Swansea and Cardiff to Manchester. The book is a stunningly illustrated contemporary portrait of the Welsh Marches line in its entirety, featuring 260 colour images, describing in detail its trains, signalling, stations, route geography, and its brief history where relevant. In particular, it is a study of one of the few remaining outposts of surviving mechanical signalling on the UK rail network, with detailed descriptions and images of all the signal boxes operating on the line which were visited by the author. In addition, the book explores the magnificent scenery the line crosses dominated by rural farmland, rolling hills and areas of outstanding natural beauty. The combination of unspoiled rural and natural countryside, coupled with steam-age signal boxes and extant semaphore signals, gives a timeless feel to the line.

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Book SynopsisEver dreamt of dropping everything and adventuring cross-country to the edge of the Orient? From London via Paris, Naples, Nuremberg, the Swiss Alps, Budapest and into the furthest corners of Eastern Europe across Romania, Bulgaria and Greece, join Tom Chesshyre on his fascinating journey to Istanbul and back.

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Book SynopsisA fascinating survey in photographs of pier railways and tramways around the UK and Ireland through history to the present day.

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Book SynopsisAbundantly illustrated with many photos of each of the locations along the route. Contains images of some of the best scenery in the Western Region. Detailed coverage of each location along the line with location details and photographs

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Book SynopsisExcellent photographs of locomotives on the railways in and around Yorkshire during the transitional period when modern traction worked alongside steam engines. Compiled with thoroughly-researched, informative captions.

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Book SynopsisBetween soaring mountains, across arid deserts, parched plains and valleys of fruit orchards and olive groves, down glittering coastlines and along viaducts towering above plunging ravines... there is no better way to see Spain than by train.Rail enthusiast Tom Chesshyre, author of Slow Trains to Venice, Ticket to Ride and Tales from the Fast Trains, hits the tracks once again to take in the country through carriage windows on a series of clattering rides beyond the popular image of "holiday Spain" (although he stops by in Benidorm and Torremolinos too).From hidden spots in Catalonia, through the plains of Aragon and across the north coast to Santiago de Compostela, Chesshyre continues his journey via Madrid, the wilds of Extremadura, dusty mining towns, the cathedrals and palaces of Valencia and Granada, and finally to Seville, Andalusia's beguiling (and hot) capital.Encounters? Plenty. Mishaps? A lot. Happy Spanish days? All the way.Trade ReviewIf you ever need convincing that it's better to take the train than to fly, this is the book that makes a persuasive case. Follow Tom Chesshyre as he meanders through rural Spain on local and regional train services, stopping off here and there in small communities that are normally by-passed by tourists. A fine read, and a book that will be valued as much by armchair travellers as by those actually planning on visiting Spain. * Nicky Gardner, hidden europe *A book for our time... It's a lovely read, take it with you on a long, slow train journey; you'll be entertained and inspired. * Richard Hammond, Green Traveller *By turns humorous and sharply insightful, he affectionately paints a vivid portrait of a deeply divided and contrasting country, bringing to life its characters and landscapes like few other travel writers can. Always curious, witty and intelligent, his writing style and subject matter are deeply rewarding - even cathartic - especially at times when we can't travel ourselves. This is armchair travel at its satisfying best. * Francisca Kellett, travel writer *In the spirit of Laurie Lee in As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning and in the manner of Philip Larkin chronicling his slow southward journey in The Whitsun Weddings, Chesshyre takes us on a wondrously hypnotic meander across Spain. His attention to detail and unwillingness to be rushed, either as passenger or author, make this a highly relaxing and subtly addictive read. * Glen Mutel, National Geographic Traveller *

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Book SynopsisGarry Stroud documents hydraulic power and the changing scene on the Western Region during the 1970s and early to mid-1980s.

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Book SynopsisThe British Railways Pilot Scheme' orders of 1955 included six Type 2 diesel-hydraulic locomotives built by the North British Locomotive Co., these being introduced during 1959 for use on the Western Region. Without operational experience, a further fifty-two locomotives were delivered between 1959 and 1962. The fleet survived intact until 1968, when approximately half of the class was withdrawn as a result of declining traffic levels across the UK, with successive National Traction Plans progressively selecting the less successful, non-standard and numerically challenged' classes for removal from traffic. All fifty-eight locomotives were withdrawn by New Years Day, 1972. This book, the first of two, sets the scene surrounding the short history of the Class 22s covering the introduction of the fleet, technical aspects, appearance design, delivery and acceptance testing, works histories and allocations. Detailed individual histories of each of the fifty-eight locomotives are included.

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Book SynopsisNight trains have long fascinated us with the possibilities of their private sleeping compartments, gilded dining cars, champagne bars and wealthy travellers. Authors from Agatha Christie to Graham Greene have used night trains to tell tales of romance, intrigue and decadence against a rolling background of dramatic landscapes. The reality could often be as thrilling: early British travellers on the Orient Express were advised to carry a revolver (as well as a teapot). In Night Trains, Andrew Martin attempts to relive the golden age of the great European sleeper trains by using their modern-day equivalents. This is no simple matter. The night trains have fallen on hard times, and the services are disappearing one by one. But if the Orient Express experience can only be recreated by taking three separate sleepers, the intriguing characters and exotic atmospheres have survived. Whether the backdrop is 3am at a Turkish customs post, the sun rising over the Riviera, or the constant twilight of a Norwegian summer night, Martin rediscovers the pleasures of a continent connected by rail. By tracing the history of the sleeper trains, he reveals much of the recent history of Europe itself. The original sleepers helped break down national barriers and unify the continent. Martin uncovers modern instances of European unity - and otherwise - as he traverses the continent during 'interesting times', with Brexit looming. Against this tumultuous backdrop, he experiences his own smaller dramas, as he fails to find crucial connecting stations, ponders the mystery of the compartment dog, and becomes embroiled in his very own night train whodunit.Trade ReviewA fine elegy ... Compelling ... witty and full of history and railway nuggets. -- Michael Binyon * Sunday Times *You do not have to be a trainspotter to enjoy this book. It is social history, a kind of epitaph to a way of travel that seems to be lost, at least in Europe. -- Christian Wolmar * Spectator *A delightful book ... charmingly combines Martin's own travels, as he recreates journeys on famous trains such as the Orient Express, with a serious, occasionally geeky, history of those elegant wagons lits of the past ... Even if you're not into the detail of rail gauges, this book is the perfect companion as you wait for the 8.10 from Hove. -- Nigel Jones * Observer *Excellent ... Mr Martin paints a vivid picture of this world on rails ... he proves a witty companion who wears his knowledge lightly -- Michael Murray-Fennell * Country Life *Andrew Martin has cornered the train market. He is the Bard of the Buffer, the Balladeer of the Blue Train, the Laureate of Lost Property ... I picked up Night Trains knowing that I would be entertained, but also in the hope that his many years of experience would teach me how to sleep on a sleeper ... Andrew Martin is the best sort of travel-writer: inquisitive, knowledgeable, lively, congenial. He is also very funny, while never letting the humour drive reality, rather than vice versa. Every page has a good joke. -- Craig Brown * Mail on Sunday *A love letter to a dying breed -- Michael Kerr * Telegraph *This is one for railway novices and enthusiasts alike. -- Hannah Solel * Financial Times *Praise for Underground, Overground: 'Martin's knowledge is both encyclopaedic and full of quirky digressions, based on everyday observation. * Evening Standard *A jaunty history ... studded with little observational gems ... he can ... stop you in your tracks with a well-turned phrase * Sunday Times *Praise for Belles & Whistles: 'Martin is entertaining company, alive to the history of his route ... leaves you with renewed confidence that trains can still be the most civilised way to travel. * Financial Times *His wonderfully well-informed, anecdotal prose punches more than just tickets * The Times *

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Book SynopsisA popular feature of our publishing programme for a number of years has been our facsimile reprints of selected titles from the famous Ian Allan Publishing abc series that first appeared in the 1940s. These modestly priced reprints are welcomed by both the enthusiasts who may have used them when they first came out and also by those not around at the time they were first published. They provide wonderful, nostalgic snapshots of a railway scene which has long since disappeared.The volume selected for reissue this Spring is abc British Railways Locomotives Combined Volume Summer 1959. This is in effect two books in one, abc British Railways Locomotives and the Locoshed Book. The abc lists all the locomotives which were in service at that time and the Locoshed book shows where those engines were allocated at the time the listings were compiled.The year covered in this volume is a particularly interesting one. By now, many of the new diesel classes conceived as a consequence of the BR modernisation plan of 1955, were coming into service though the steam locomotive was still supreme across most of the network, and indeed, new BR Standard steam locomotives were still under construction. As with all of these facsimile reprints, this volume provides a wonderful, nostalgic snapshot of a railway scene which has long since disappeared and will be enjoyed by enthusiasts of both steam and modern traction.

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Book SynopsisThis is a welcome reissue of the biography of one of the relatively few railwaymen in the age of steam who became what would now be described as a ''personality''. Bill Hoole was born in Liverpool and his first job was as a messenger in the Goods Department of the Midland Railway in the city. The fascination of steam locomotives soon cast its spell over him and he transferred to the Great Central at Walton-on-the-Hill-sheds. After service in the Great War he moved to London, passing out as a driver at Neasden in 1926 before moving to Kings Cross the following year.He finished his career as a top link driver on the East Coast Main Line based at Kings Cross. Driver Hoole''s normal locomotive in British Railways days was the now preserved A4 Pacific No 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley, and it was with ''Number 7'' that he achieved the official post war steam speed record of 112mph on 23 May 1959. His name became a household word among railway enthusiasts on the East Coast Route during the declining years of steam traction out of King''s Cross. In his quiet unassuming way he always had time to answer every question, pose for every camera and help everyone who needed help.After his retirement from British Railways, Bill took to driving on the narrow-gauge Festiniog Railway in north Wales, where his cheerful personality made as much an impression on the visitors as it did on steam lovers during his main-line days. On his death in 1979, he was interred in the cemetery at Minffordd close to the Festiniog Railway, his gravestone bearing the title of his biography: Bill Hoole, Engineman Extraordinary.

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Book SynopsisThe abc Rail Guide has established itself as the comprehensive, detailed accurate and reliable guide to the railway networks of the British Isles. The new 2018 edition of this best-selling annual publication has been thoroughly revised and updated. The book provides the most accurate listings, in operator order, of the locomotives, multiple units and stock used on the railways of Britain, the Isle of Man and Ireland. Entries are also separately cross-referenced to their operators. There are many additional sections including those dealing with stock used by infrastructure companies, private train operators, tramways and Metro systems. Among other topics covered are coupling codes, TOPS numbers allocated to heritage traction and off-lease stock. abc Rail Guide 2018 is simply the most comprehensive and accurate single volume reference source on the contemporary railway scene. Portable, up to date, concise, easy to use, with Train Operating Company route maps and colour photographs throughout, this is the essential guide for all railway enthusiasts seeking to keep up to speed with the dynamic and rapidly changing railway landscape in these islands.

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Book Synopsis A fascinating collection of bizarre but true stories from nearly 200 years of railway history. Right from the very start, when George Stephenson’s famous Rocket knocked over and killed a government minister at the opening of the Liverpool to Manchester line in 1830, the world’s railways have given rise to plenty of intriguing stories. In this fascinating book, revised and updated with a new selection of tales, railway buff Tom Quinn explores the more bizarre side of train travel, featuring weird weather conditions, audacious robberies, hair-raising accidents, vanishing passengers, an infestation of maggots and a mysterious missing mummy. From the dawn of rail travel, when speeds of 15mph were considered dangerous to health and people mistook engines for fire-breathing demons, through the Victorian heyday of royal trains and seaside specials to today’s more prosaic leaves on the line, this whistlestop tour through railways’ long and storied history is the perfect gift for armchair travellers, history fans and trainspotters. Word count: 60,000

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Book SynopsisThe adventure filled memoir from the world's most beloved trainspotter, TikTok sensation Francis Bourgeois.'Francis is one of the kindest, most genuine people I've met in a long time. His passion and unadulterated happiness is inspiring. I can't wait for more magical adventures with him.' - Joe Jonas'A National Treasure Of The TikTok Age.' - Grazia'Thrashing builds and builds. I look down and pull up my sleeve: I've got goosebumps, making all the hairs on my arm stand on end. I'm absolutely buzzing.' From sleeping in a car to get a good shot of 73962 Dick Mabbutt to trainspotting with Niall Horan, Francis Bourgeois has been on one hell of a ride over the past year. Bringing joy to millions, his epic journeys have highlighted the importance of connecting with your passions.In The Trainspotter's Notebook, Francis shares his greatest trainspotting adventures and takes you with him across the fields and footbridges of Britain, passing through historic terminals and backwater stations in pursuit of tones, thrash and locomotive perfection. Told in his inimitable style, these hilarious and heart-warming tales take you behind the scenes of his most popular videos, and celebrate the places and people of the railway.Are you ready to depart?'Oh for goodness sake, I'm on the wrong platform!'Trade ReviewA National Treasure Of The TikTok Age. * Grazia *Our favourite TikTok trainspotter. * The Face *Francis Bourgeois' unique style and infectious enthusiasm is proving to be a 'hellfire' hit. His delight is infectious. * The Observer *The world's most famous trainspotter. * The Times *'Francis is one of the kindest, most genuine people I've met in a long time. His passion and unadulterated happiness is inspiring. I can't wait for more magical adventures with him.' * Joe Jonas *

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisWith previously unpublished photographs comes a pictorial celebration of the Wirral's famous electric railways.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisJohn Jackson traces the 40-mile section of line connecting Englandâs second city of Birmingham with the strategically important railway centre of Derby.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisIn the 19th Century there was a widespread feeling in seaside resorts with cliffs that visitor numbers would be increased if there was an easy way of reaching, and more importantly, returning from the beach, avoiding flights of stairs or long zig-zag paths. To address this issue, the first cliff railway was built at Scarborough in 1875. Since then, another twenty-nine, or thirty if the Leas lift at Folkestone, which was duplicated in 1890, is counted as two, have been built, including three at inland locations. Despite having the same function, all the cliff railways are different and have their own characteristics. Some of them still use water as a power source. The remainder use electric motors. In addition to telling the story of Britain's cliff railways, author Peter Johnson tells the story of the authorised but unbuilt cliff railways, vertical lifts and electric stairways that serve or served the same function in a few places, and adds details of what might be called cliff railway derivatives,' steep-grade, rope-hauled, railways, airport automated people movers, and modern inclined lift installations that might have been built as cliff railways if they had been built a hundred years ago. To compile this new book, Peter Johnson, who has written books on Welsh and narrow gauge railways for Pen & Sword, has carried out extensive research in government files and old newspapers. Many of the illustrations have not been published previously and a few of them are very rare.

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Book SynopsisA fascinating journey from the capital to Britain's two most famous railway towns - Oxford and Cambridge.

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