London Local Trains in the 1950s and 1960s


Book Description

This remarkable colour album of 1950s and 1960s images covers non-express trains working in and out of London termini, along with a selection of feeder services operating in roughly a 40 mile radius of the Capital. The trains featured are therefore semi-fast passenger, suburban passenger and freights. The advantage of casting the net beyond services in and out of London itself is to increase the variety of locomotive types and diesel/electric units featured, making the book a thoroughly interesting read.Throughout, photographs with identifiable landmarks, for example stations and signal boxes, are used wherever possible. Furthermore, every effort has been made to show a wealth of material which has never been seen before.London Local Trains in the 1950s and 1960s is an in-depth and well-researched account of the London railway scene, that meticulously charts their progress throughout the mid-twentieth century.




Steam on the Eastern & Midland


Book Description

The author and railway photographer presents a stunning collection of original images showing steam locomotives in action in the mid-20th century. This is the second book from David Knapman’s personal record of railway views that were captured on black and white film in the late 1950’s and 1960’s, until the demise of steam on British Railways. Using the same format as its companion volume, Steam on the Southern and Western, this book presents chapters covering different locations in the Eastern and London Midland regions. Knapman captures branch and mainline trains as well as locations of interest and historical infrastructure. Where preservation starts to overlap with the still active steam scene, some historic photographs are also included. Each chapter begins with an overview of the station it depicts, providing local and historical context. Each photograph is paired with a detailed caption describing the specific trains at work.




British Railways in the 1950s and ’60s


Book Description

As Britain moved from austerity to prosperity in the 1950s and 1960s, it became clear that British Railways needed to modernise its equipment and rationalise its network if it was to hold its own in the face of growing competition from road and air transport. After attempting to maintain pre-war networks and technology in the 1950s, a reversal of policy in the 1960s brought line closures, new liveries and the last breath of steam, as Dr Beeching and his successors strove to break even and build a new business from the old. From Britannia to the 'Blue Pullman', Evening Star to Inter-City, Greg Morse takes us through this turbulent twenty-year period, which started with drab prospects and ended with BR poised to launch the fastest diesel-powered train in the world.










Penn Central Railroad


Book Description




Modelling the Midland Region from 1948


Book Description

The London Midland Region covered a huge part of England from London to the north and north west, from the Scottish borders into the south west. It served huge metropolitan cities and towns, supported heavy industry, and ran through areas of outstanding natural beauty such as the Peak District and Lake District. Modelling the Midland Region from 1948 is an essential guide to creating your own model based on the London Midland Region of the British Railways era. It covers the history of the London Midland Region; British Rail and LMS locomotives; passenger and goods rolling stock; structures and scenery unique to the region, and signalling and electrification. The authors of this book are trustees of the charity Famous Trains model railway and directors of its operating company Famous Trains Ltd. An essential guide to creating your own model based on the London Midland region, for all scales and levels of interest, and fully illustrated with 232 colour photographs and 15 diagrams.




Exploring Disused Railways in East Scotland


Book Description

Michael Mather explores eastern Scotland's disused railway lines.




The British Seaside


Book Description

This detailed academic cultural study looks at the rise and fall of the seaside holiday in Britain. John K. Walton offers a broad interpretation of the holidays and resorts, looking at who went, where they went, what they did, and how they were entertained.