Search results for ""Author David Cable""

This photographic album portrays the four classes of locomotives introduced to operate on the British Railways system, prior to Privatisation in 1994. Increasing loads and deteriorating reliability of older classes necessitated the design of new, higher horsepower classes of diesel locomotives to operate the increasing requirement to operate trains handling loads in bulk, such as coal, minerals, fuels etc. The four classes included one American design the class 59 which set new standards in haulage capacity and reliability. The other three designs classes 56, 58 and 60 were more suitable to their tasks than previous models, but in the case of the class 56, suffered a poor repuatation for availability for several years, although the few remaining members of the class have now attained acceptable standards. Of the four classes, a small number of class 56s operate in private ownership, all the class 58s have been withdrawn, but all the class 59s and 60s are in daily use throughout England and Wales. This album has been written by David Cable, author of a series of illustrated books covering railways in the UK as well as overseas. The book shows examples of all four classes working a variety of duties at a wide range of locations.

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The genesis of 25kv overhead electrification began in the late 1960s on the West Coast Main Line, the 1980s for the East Anglian Main Line, and the East Coast Main Line in the late 1980s. Development took place in stages culminating in fully electrified lines from London to Scotland on both East and West Coast lines, and from London to Norwich. The introduction of these lines required the construction of new motive power. Initially five types were produced for the WCML, from which the second phase of loco design was developed, giving a higher level of reliability, as well as power output. These newer designs were applied to the Anglian services, but the ECML plans required an updated design, ostensibly for mixed traffic, but hardly ever used on anything other than express passenger services, for which their 140mph potential enabled a major recast of the timetable. The opening of the Channel Tunnel required a mixed traffic dual voltage locomotive, running on both 25kv and the Southern Region 750v third rail DC. The locomotives are classified between 81 and 92 inclusive, and this book of photographs by David Cable covers all the classes in a variety of locations and duties.

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The electro-diesel locomotives and multiple units used by the Southern Region of British Railways, were unique to this region. The locomotives of class 73 were used extensively throughout the region, in particular on Gatwick Express services, as well as on departmental and track recording trains. Their versatility in being able to work off 3rd rail electricity as well as diesel engined power gave them unrivalled areas of work. The class 74s, which only had a short life, were seen particularly on boat trains and parcels services on the South Western main line. The classes 201-3 were 6-car units of narrow bodied construction, so as to be able to work Hastings line services with its restricted clearances. The other classes 204-207 were 3-car units employed on stopping services throughout the region, but especially in Hampshire and the lines to Uckfield and originally East Grinstead. They were also seen on services in East Sussex and Kent. This volume shows all the classes at work, in a variety of colour schemes and locations, and has been compiled by David Cable, well known author of a range of books regarding Modern Traction, published by Pen and Sword Books Ltd.

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