New Transport Treasury Publishing Titles

[Robin Fell]

Take a look at our brand new publications.

Rails around Aylesbury Vale

Using photographs from the Transport Treasury archive, this book takes us on an imaginary circular journey from Aylesbury Town to Aylesbury High Street via the Met/Great Central and West Coast Main lines and lines in between. The period covered is the 1950s and early 1960s just before massive change was to take place resulting in contrasting fortunes for the two main lines: total closure for one and complete modernisation of the other. As well as the two Aylesbury stations, some of the locations featured are Quainton Road, Calvert, Verney Junction, Linslade Tunnel, Leighton Buzzard, Cheddington, Tring plus many scenes in between, there is also a brief foray down the lines to Ashendon Junction and Dunstable. We finish with a trip along what was Britain’s first branch line, that from Cheddington to Aylesbury.

The Railways of East Fife

The railway map of East Fife covers from Dysart in the south to Leuchars Junction in the north, Crail in the east and Ladybank in the west. The whole steeped in railway history with everything from express to local services and of course goods of various types. Fortunately one man in particular, W A C ‘Bill’ Smith, was a prolific photographer of both the trains and the infrastructure in the area during the 1950s and 1960s, this album a tribute not only to his work but also to a lost transport scene now rapidly fading from memory.




Western Times Castle Special
 

In this inaugural Western Times Special we look to mark and celebrate 100-years since the introduction into service of the legendary ‘Castle Class’. Over an enlarged issue of 96 pages, the life of these much admired locomotives is explored and explained utilising over 180 black & white and colour photographs, many appearing in print for the first time. The book is chaptered in such a way as to investigate the diverse and surprisingly complex history of the class, and the comprehensively captioned imagery is augmented with works drawings and an array of data presented in tabular form.

From an appraisal of the Great Western Railway’s motive power situation before the Castles, we examine their introduction into service and establishment as the mainstay of express passenger operations. The design development and improvements made throughout their careers is charted, including the successful application of double chimneys towards the end of their lives.

Unusually for a company noted for its regimented locomotive naming policy, the Castles experienced a number of identity changes over the years, and many of these ‘Non-Castles’ are highlighted. The class is extensively featured at work, on shed and in works throughout their service, and special attention is afforded to the final years leading up to withdrawal and scrapping. Finally, we chronicle the eight survivors, that avoided the cutter’s torch and made it into the preservation era.

This is the first of what is hoped to be the regular release of a Western Times Special, that will augment the regular series, but concentrate on a particular topic in greater detail than in the usual articles.

 

 

Beyer Garratt

From the 1830s onward, there were hundreds of attempts to design articulated steam locomotives of which only a tiny percentage achieved commercial viability. The last to join this exclusive band was the Garratt, a British invention which unquestionably proved to be the most successful articulated steam locomotive type. The idea was born of engineer Herbert Garratt’s extensive experience with overseas railways that operated in difficult terrain and under challenging circumstances. Adoption by Beyer Peacock & Co Ltd, the highly regarded locomotive builder of Gorton Foundry, Manchester led to the type’s 1909 inauguration in Tasmania. By the First World War, thirty-one examples had been delivered or were under construction. This diverse group embraced seven wheel arrangements and five gauges from 2’ 0” to 5’ 3”, with designs ranging from miniscule tramway engines to 8-cylinder high speed double-Atlantics – cogent evidence of adaptability and competence. The 1920s saw progressive size increases culminating in eight-coupled giants that handled vast tonnages on five continents. With expiry of the original patent and product re-styling as the “Beyer-Garratt”, Gorton Foundry fought off challenges to its market leadership and during World War 2 played a pivotal role in military rail transportation. Post-war, the type accounted for the majority of Beyer Peacock’s steam production. Although production had ceased by the late 1950s, Beyer-Garratts continued to render sterling service in numerous countries. A century after introduction, there were still isolated examples at work in normal service. This is a story of courage, creativity, superb engineering, and adventure in the cause of mankind’s most romantic form of transport.

 

…and last but not least


The 2024 Railway Quiz Book

Know your railways? Of course you do and probably like most you are an expert in some areas. The subject of railways is so vast that no one person can hope to know it all. So here is the opportunity to test yourself. To find out just how much you do - or don’t - know. Over 400 written and pictorial questions should find you out. Go on, give it a go - we know you want to! The ideal gift to the rail or model enthusiast or even to yourself.
 

Edited November 7, 2023 by Robin Fell

[Robin Fell]

Out now

Rails along the Rother

Closed to passengers nearly 70 years ago, the lines that served the charming Sussex market town of Midhurst are still fondly remembered. Never money spinners the first of the three routes to be closed, that from Chichester, lost its passenger service way back in 1935, to be followed twenty years later by the withdrawal of services to both Petersfield and Pulborough. With its stations not well sited for the limited population they served and vulnerable to bus competition, traffic was never heavy although freight did continue for a number of years after passenger closure with the final trains operating on a small section of the route until 1991. Fortunately several photographers appreciated the scenic beauty of the area and recorded trains in the landscape during the 1950s. It is their mainly unpublished work that is presented in this new volume.

 

Edited November 23, 2023 by Robin Fell

[Robin Fell]

Take a look at our latest publications

Two new Times titles have recently joined our collection:

Midland Times Issue 3
 

In this issue a large part of Great Britain is covered. We start our journey in Scotland with a feature on Highland Railway 4-6-0 locomotives and follow this with an interesting and informative trip to Coventry. Initially services travelling south to London by-passed the city but as it grew in importance between the wars, more regular and faster trains started calling there en-route from and to Birmingham. We then dart up and down the country visiting Derbyshire with two stunning colour photographs and then south to Ashchurch on the Birmingham to Bristol route. Garsdale is next up, a place which still provides us with stunning views today. There is a selection of images that show the amount of infrastructure built by the Midland Railway at this outpost deep in the fells of south east Cumbria.

 

Moving away from locations, David P. Williams explains how  he produces his coloured monochrome images, three of which have adorned the front covers of Midland Times. This is followed by selected pages that have been reproduced from an original LMS booklet instructing staff the correct way to secure ‘long and projecting traffic’. Back on the rails we visit the scene of an accident at Plaistow then move back up the country to witness the ‘last knockings’ of steam in the north west accompanied by some very evocative photography.
Fury then takes over with a compelling article about the ill-fated high-pressure experiment pursued by the LMS. Another trip to Scotland follows which includes ferry trips with a company that would become part-owned by the LMS. And, finally, there is a nostalgic trip to the ‘Knotty’ in 1962 showing some delightful scenes of the former North Staffordshire Railway network. A few miles covered there and hopefully a wide selection of subjects to interest you.

 

 

Western Times Issue 8
 

In this issue, the Editor has chosen to be a little different in the choice of content, but all of which naturally remains very Great Western. The renowned artist Nicolas Trudgian in a lengthy, fully illustrated article has written about a stretch of the GWR network over which he never rode but which was much loved by his parents. Nicolas inherited this passion and has spent many hours in researching the history, and in exploring the route of the GWR’s most unique branch – that from Yelverton to Princetown.
 

Elsewhere there are illustrated reviews of the products of a furniture factory (that existed within the walls of Swindon Works), and on more traditional ground we pay homage to the last remaining semaphore signals in Cornwall. On the locomotive front, there is a history of William Dean’s unsuccessful Class 3521 in its early tank engine forms and a full colour review of the popular, successful, yet sadly short-lived Hymeks. There is also an account of an early railtour to Swindon in 1949, organised by a youthful Mr Ian Allan.
 

Rolling stock matters are considered in connection with adventures encountered by Slip Coaches. Problems with Marlborough Tunnel are illustrated and discussed. In addition to the usual features, Western Times goes aboard surely the best known of all GWR ships – The Mew – in a piece of undisguised nostalgia.

 

You may also have missed these two Totem books:

Irish Railway Rover Part 1

This is a book of superb colour photographs. A small selection from the camera of one man who had what was possibly unique access to the Irish railway network starting in 1975. This period is now looked upon as the ‘museum years’ of post-steam Irish Railways. A time of momentous change that saw the traditional infrastructure of mechanical signalling, travelling post offices, steam heating, goods train services, and 19th Century station buildings, etc progressively give way to the utilitarian, electronic era. Train formations and their operation also changed beyond recognition as the traditional locomotive and carriage formation gave way to anonymous multiple unit operation. The rare privilege of all-Ireland footplate passes led to an estimated 80,000 miles of footplate travel between 1982 and 1995. In this book author Michael McMahon shares around ninety pictures from his immense collection to provide a fitting tribute to both the railwaymen and the railway of a bygone age.

 

BR 1970s Coaching Stock

This book captures the feel of seventies coach spotting days: the mundane and the unusual; the common and the unique. It takes you on a journey learning to understand the different coach layouts and coach types. How did the numbering system work? Why were there different types of bogies? What were all the non-passenger vehicles for, and why were they not counted as freight wagons? Enjoy this trip back in time with a delightful section of photographs taken from the Transport Treasury photographic archive, supported by scale drawings showing the layout of each type.
 

And finally hot off the press this week:

The Steam Railway Western Scotland

W A C ‘Bill’ Smith was a prolific photographer of steam locomotives, as well as Clyde Steamers and Trams. He travelled extensively throughout Scotland during the 1950s and 1960s recording the changes as the older pre-grouping steam classes disappeared, to be replaced by the new Standard types and even more modern diesel power. His photographs also depict much of the infrastructure which was similarly being demolished or replaced at the same time, as well the environment through which steam railways passed, ranging from Glasgow tenements, through wild moorlands to dramatic Highland scenes.

 

His other claim to fame was as the organiser of many railtours which covered Scotland during the same period, often covering backwaters and lightly used branch or freight lines.

Bill’s images encompass much variety, from graceful 4-4-0s, often in beautifully clean conditions, to the work-stained Caledonian and North British 0-6-0s, many of which, after long working lives, ended their days carrying out the same duties for which they were designed – hauling coal trains around the unsung and little-photographed colliery and steelworks lines of Lanarkshire and Ayrshire.

 

The workhorses of passenger traffic – LNER’s B1s, V2s and LMS Black 5s, as well as examples of express passenger power from both companies and the newer BR standard types, are also portrayed, along with out-of-the-public-eye industrial steam workings. Bill’s photos are brought to life with captions written by the three compilers, all of whom have first-hand experience of railway operations in Western Scotland.

 

 

 

Edited January 9 by Robin Fell

[PatC]

I received a copy of the Beyer Garratt book for Christmas (well, I actually bought it from Kevin on your stand at Warley but had it taken from me when I got home😂).

 

It's an absolutely stunning book. Currently working my way through it, particularly in relation to Garrat locomotives used in South America. Fascinating reading. 

[Robin Fell]

New this week

 

Corners of the Cambrian

 

The Cambrian Railways, formed by the amalgamation of several different companies, became part of the GWR at the Grouping and after nationalisation part of the Western Region then, in 1963, the Midland Region of British Railways. It retained much of its rural charm by the very nature of the countryside through which it passed and by its use of often vintage motive power which attracted both tourists and enthusiasts alike. By the mid 1960s however, many of its routes and stations had been closed and rationalisation and standardisation had destroyed much of its attraction. This album recalls the days before these changes were implemented and will hopefully act as a reminder of the special appeal of its routes and services.

[Robin Fell]

Now available to order:

 

Southern Times Issue 7

 

Issue 7: Contents
Introduction
Snow
The Southern N15X class
Signalling at Farnborough Main;
based on notes by the late John Davenport
Down the line to Oxted; Part 2 Alan Postlethwaite
Civil Defence Exercise at Brighton Kemp Town
Stephen Townroe’s Colour Archive: Mr Bulleid’s Pacifics
From the Footplate
First Generation / Heritage EMUS
The demise of William Beattie
‘St Lawrence’, ‘Eastbourne’ and ‘Ardingly’
Treasures from the Bluebell Railway Museum Tony Hillman
Southern Region in colour. Images by Ian Hemphill

 

 

[Robin Fell]

Out Now:

 

Hydraulic Memories
 

Hydraulic Memories takes the reader on a virtual journey over the former Western Region from Paddington to Penzance, featuring a variety of locations with a few diversions en route and looking back at the times when Westerns, Warships, Hymeks and the North British Class 22s could be seen working. Most of these pictures have not been published before. It is particularly pleasing to have found some unseen pictures of the Class 22s at work, as they were less photographed than the other Hydraulics, whose reign on British Rail came to an end (with the Westerns) on the 26 February 1977.

 

The colour photographs are spread from the 1960s through to 1976 with a variety of liveries carried through those years. Not only have the locomotives changed but we also see the coaching stock and freight wagons in use at that time, along with the stations as they were then. Many of these places have changed beyond recognition, as has the rolling stock of course.
This book should be of interest to anyone who had followed the Hydraulics and travelled the Western Region at that time. It should also appeal to Railway Modellers who wish to study train consists and views from the past. Drawing on the Transport Treasury archive, I have supplemented the collection with my own and friends’ pictures to give a good sample of how things were back in those days.

 

 

 

[Robin Fell]

Have you seen our three latest Totem titles?

The Final Decade: the 1960s railway scene - a second selection

 

‘The Final Decade: the 1960s railway scene - a second selection’ showcases more of Paul Hocquard’s masterful photography capturing the change from the Victorian railway to a modern network intended for a modern time. This revolution was to be the biggest change the railway had witnessed in over a century and would see the end of steam, the introduction of diesel and electric traction and the closure of literally thousands of miles of track. Paul Hocquard had the foresight to seek out the unusual, the last survivors and at times the downright bizarre, recorded here as a permanent record of a landscape that would soon change beyond all recognition.

 

 

LMS Steam in Scotland in the 1930s

 

The ‘Grouping’ in Scotland brought together the locomotive stock of the Caledonian Railway, the Highland Railway and the Glasgow and South Western Railway under the LM&SR management which almost immediately sought for the standardisation of locomotive parts. Fortunately the Caley under the leadership of John McIntosh had started down this path which meant that together with the work done by David Jones and Peter Drummond at the Highland, the LM&SR could rely on good performing locomotives for many years.

Unfortunately the locomotive stock of the G&SWR suffered prior to the Grouping from a series of badly designed, poorly steaming replacement boilers which the LM&SR judged to be non-standard leading to their early withdrawal and replacement by former Caley stock and LM&SR Classes such as 2P 4-4-0’s and 4F 0-6-0’s. This collection brings together many previously unpublished images of Caley, Highland and Sou’West locomotives at work and rest throughout the former LM&SR territory.

 

 

Irish Railway Rover Part 2

 

Michael presents ninety more pictures from his extensive personal archive of images taken in a twenty year period ending in 1995. The introduction of push-pull trains and railcars (as multiple unit sets are known in Ireland) led to the withdrawal of locomotive hauled trains, also the rationalisation of facilities associated with their everyday operations. The change to passenger train working came at the same time as a gradual withdrawal from freight services, which was mostly beyond the control of the railway companies. The result was a cull of locomotive classes and rolling stock, the images in this book represent the closing years of the traditional railway in Ireland. Michael was well placed to observe these changes, the rare privilege of all Ireland footplate passes led to an estimated 80,000 miles of footplate travel between 1982 and 1995 when he was able to closely observe railways at work in all parts of Ireland.

 

[Robin Fell]

Our Newest Release:

Engines at Corby

 

In the 1930’s the small village of Corby in Northamptonshire was transformed into a sizable town as the firm of Stewarts and Lloyds Ltd enlarged their existing ironworks into an integrated plant delivering tubes as an end product. Ultimately a complex railway system was created, both to deliver iron ore from the adjacent quarries and to facilitate production in the iron, steel and tube works. Until the late 1960’s an extensive fleet of industrial steam locomotives was the lifeblood of the system. This book describes the authors observations on their very varied comings and goings, the surroundings they worked in and some of the duties that they undertook.

 

 

[Robin Fell]

We released two brand new 'Times' books last week:

Midland Times Issue 4

 

As always, this edition of Midland Times features a range of diverse diverse articles. Peter Tatlow's memories on the LMS West Coast main line, and the innovative Turbomotive locomotive. Also included are an article on Perth's key role in steam locomotives, train spotting experiences during the late 50s and early 60s, and comprehensive photographic pieces. Finally, the issue concludes with unseen colour photos of 'The Last Dasher.’



Railway Times Issue 3

1950 saw the first indications of the new range of Standard locomotive designs, changes to BR regional boundaries and the introduction of several new named express services. The year also sadly saw the last run of the famous Ivatt Atlantics and the end of the line for the Scottish “Glens” and “Lochs”. More positively, new locomotives were introduced in the shape of the SR’s No. 10201, the Fell locomotive No. 10100, and gas turbine No. 18000. Southampton Docks saw the opening of the prestigious new Ocean Liner terminal.

Edited April 10 by Robin Fell

[Robin Fell]

A new title has joined our collection.

Around the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway

The Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway was jointly owned by the Midland Railway and the Great Northern Railway; those companies had long sponsored and operated
the predecessor companies. It had the longest mileage of any joint railway in Great Britain. Formally opened in 1893, with the creation of
the Joint Committee, it provided a link between the Midlands and East Coast fishing port of Yarmouth – traversing the popular ‘Broadland’ and ‘Poppyland’ areas of Norfolk. It was not until 1936 – well into the Grouping era – that its operation was taken over by the London & North Eastern Railway, retaining much of its independent character in later years. The area directly served was agricultural and sparsely populated, but seaside holidays had developed and many long-distance express trains used the M&GN from the territory of the parent companies, to the east coast. After 1945 the profitability of the network declined steeply, worsened by the seasonality of the business. Increasing competition by road transport along with BR operating losses caused the lines closure in 1959.

 

[Robin Fell]

This week's new release:

Midland to the Coast

The London Midland Region of British Railways served three main coastal areas – North Wales, Lancashire and the Cumbrian coast bordering the Lake District. There were several major resorts in these locations including Blackpool, Southport, Morecambe, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno, and Rhyl together with many smaller resorts such as Grange-over-Sands, New Brighton, Prestatyn and Pwllheli. Many benefitted from through trains from major urban centres including the capital and peak holiday trains conveyed vast crowds for their annual holiday by the sea. Some forty of these resorts are included in this volume which also features a variety of motive power encompassing steam, diesel and electric traction.