Strathwood

It's Monday morning so let's start the week off again with a new title for us all. Great news for those already collecting the quarterly Western Times or looking to start their collection off or add to it with our 3 for 2 deal. Western Times 6 continues the tradition of describing the detailed history of the company, its assets and activities. As with each issue the editors have attempted a wide cross-section covering several departments, hence we have the CME represented by 2-6-2T No 3902 and the later years BR Standards that operated on the WR, plus Part 2 of Hawksworth coaches. From the goods department there is the second part of West Country China Clay Traffic, from the signalling department, the 3-position signal at Paddington, and from the traffic department a detailed look at Hungerford station. There are also items on engineering and 1953 recalled as the last Coronation year. In all 80 sides packed with articles and illustrations as well Western Times regular features. Contents Introduction Hungerford Through Time Western Standards: From the Archives of R C Riley The Hawksworth Coaches: Part 2 – Suburban Stock & Auto-Trailers GWR Employee Dishonesty From the Archives: 2-6-2 Tank – No. 3902 Three Position Signals Book Review Off the Beaten Track Modern Traction: ‘Westerns’ in Colour West Country Clay Traffic: Part 2 – China and Ball Clay in Devon by Stuart Malthouse Tothill Cutting: The Challenges of a Civil Engineering Project 1953 Remembered: The Last Coronation Year The Great Western Trust (GWT) – Bulletin No.5 The Guard’s Compartment Western Times 6 https://strathwood.co.uk/products/western-times-issue-6 Kevin

Among the latest flush of new deliveries, we welcome these. The LMS Princess Coronation Pacifics, 1937-1956 Their Design and Development https://strathwood.co.uk/products/the-lms-princess-coronation-pacifics-1937-1956-their-design-and-development Signals Passed at Danger https://strathwood.co.uk/products/signals-passed-at-danger Kevin

Let's start the week off with a new title, right up your street if you are a fan of the LNER, Eastern, and North Eastern Regions too. Just in the warehouse doors today hot off the press. Eastern Times Issue No.1 JUST £12.95 https://strathwood.co.uk/products/eastern-times-issue-1 Kevin

She is the World's most famous steam locomotive and celebrates her 100th year in 2023. Grab your own copy of this bargain souvenir publication for yourself today. It's packed with some delicious archive and colour photographs never seen before, and at a competitive price and part of our 3 for 2 deal too. What's not to like? FLYING SCOTSMAN CENTENARY SPECIAL JUST £11.99 https://strathwood.co.uk/products/flying-scotsman-100th-anniversary

Latest News from our friends at Irwell Press. "Announcement Dear customers: after four decades of publishing, it is finally time to close the door on Irwell Press. The Directors, staggering into their dotage, have at last faced up to the march of time and will formally retire during April 2023. We have given it much thought and the time now feels right. We would like to thank all our customers for their support over the years; it has been greatly appreciated. All orders placed up to 31st.March 2023 via our website or phone will be fulfilled by Irwell Press. The good news is that Kevin Derrick at Strathwood Publishing (who has been selling Irwell Press books for a number of years and shares the same warehouse & distribution facilities) is taking all our 'in stock' books - these can be ordered through his website https://strathwood.co.uk or by ringing 01234 328792. A few Irwell titles currently in preparation have also been taken over by Strathwood and George Reeve will assist Kevin in their production and distribution, thereby maintaining the recognised style, formats and quality of reproduction associated with both publishers. Please note that neither our trading name nor the business is being sold. Kind regards, George, Chris and Wendy at Irwell Press." I am sure you will likewise wish our friends at Irwell Press all the best for their retirement and join us in thanking them for the fabulous range of titles they have supplied us all with over many years, a big thank you, indeed. Kevin

I was saddened to learn of the passing of Alan, by way of emails sent to me in the Highlands of Scotland with news of his passing at his home in West Australia. RIP Alan Porter. I can say with all sincerity that Alan was one of the nicest and most respected people I have ever met through our hobby. His knowledge, enthusiasm, sincerity and energy were a great source of inspiration to this young twenty-three-year-old when I first met him in 1982. Just being fresh off the plane from London Alan welcomed me with open arms at the then AMRA clubrooms within Meltham station. We quickly hit it off with a mutual respect to each other's talents and abilities. It was a great pleasure to see him again a few years ago at the new AMRA clubrooms, which owed an awful lot to Alan's financial guidance from his many years of dedication as the WA Branch treasurer and printer of The Branchline newsletter for so long courtesy of his efforts via BP's photocopier at Kwinana. I have fond memories of the two of us collating the newsletters, stapling them together and stuffing them into envelopes during my period as editor and committee member and of our short time together as I assisted him as best I could in putting together and running the 1983 and 1984 AMRA Exhibitions. Of course, I now desperately regret not managing to get to see him at his home in Myaree during my all too short stay in WA last year. Alan was never one to let things pass him by, proven with his tremendous record of travelling to different places all around world long into his retirement, I can see him now smiling at me and saying don't dwell on it, just learn from it. I am happy and privileged to have known Alan as both a friend and a mentor, he taught me a lot in his own way, and he will be missed. Kevin Derrick

Just into stock we have these for devotees of Class 50s, the second new title on this popular class in the last month. Just to say that the last copies of Blood, Sweat and Glorious Thundering Fifties - The Combined Volume have now sold out, but we do still have a few copies left of FIFTY YEARS of CLASS 50s left if you are quick, perhaps you can make the most of a 3 for 2 deal along with Last Years of the Class 50s 1980 - 1994 if you haven't already bagged yourself a copy. So, what are you waiting for take a look at this new title CLASS 50s ON THE WESTERN REGION and put yourself a deal together. https://strathwood.co.uk/products/class-50s-on-the-western-region Kevin

For those already wondering what the first title will be, following on with the Irwell series of books under the Strathwood banner, we are happy to announce that the final volume in the Joy of Jinties series will go off for printing in a few days. Everything will be in the same, size and quality formats as we continue with more titles in the long-established Irwell series of books. Not only do I want them to match on my own bookshelves at home, but we are sure everyone else will want them to do so as well, so never fear. Richard Derry who has been the lead author on many titles in the Book of series has set to work on completing a volume on the British Railways Standard Class 4MT 2-6-4Ts, likewise we are well advanced with a follow-on series to the Joy of Jinties focusing on the Fowler Class 4F 0-6-0s. The final part in the Main Line to the South series is almost ready for print as well taking us on our journey to Weymouth. The next title in the Celebration of series following on from the latest dealing with the Class 9Fs, will be with us in time for dare I say it already Christmas... dealing with Castles. Meanwhile, yours truly will resume the completion of a six-volume series dealing with Western Region hydraulics in colour, along with a massive tome on Class 52 Westerns which has had to be stalled for few months. In between a host of other titles looking at various other topics in colour as well as further Steam's Lament titles. It's going to be a busy summer... Kevin

Latest News from our friends at Irwell Press. "Announcement Dear customers: after four decades of publishing, it is finally time to close the door on Irwell Press. The Directors, staggering into their dotage, have at last faced up to the march of time and will formally retire during April 2023. We have given it much thought and the time now feels right. We would like to thank all our customers for their support over the years; it has been greatly appreciated. All orders placed up to 31st.March 2023 via our website or phone will be fulfilled by Irwell Press. The good news is that Kevin Derrick at Strathwood Publishing (who has been selling Irwell Press books for a number of years and shares the same warehouse & distribution facilities) is taking all our 'in stock' books - these can be ordered through his website https://strathwood.co.uk or by ringing 01234 328792. A few Irwell titles currently in preparation have also been taken over by Strathwood and George Reeve will assist Kevin in their production and distribution, thereby maintaining the recognised style, formats and quality of reproduction associated with both publishers. Please note that neither our trading name nor the business is being sold. Kind regards, George, Chris and Wendy at Irwell Press." I am sure you will likewise wish our friends at Irwell Press all the best for their retirement and join us in thanking them for the fabulous range of titles they have supplied us all with over many years, a big thank you, indeed. Kevin

Let's start the week off with a new title, that's bound to be a winner so don't delay be sure to grab a copy for yourself, as good quality titles based around scrapping locomotives always sell out fast, we suspect this one will be no exception. Especially with a big well known and respected photographer's name involved, it's all colour and at a competitive price and part of our 3 for 2 deal too. Colin Garratt’s Scrapbook Follow the link https://strathwood.co.uk/products/colin-garratt-s-scrapbook Why not tie your copy in within our 3 for 2 deal Kevin

Not a railway title but big on nostalgia for sure we have stocks of this to hand just now don't miss it for a wallow back in time. Britain in the 1950s Ordinary Lives in Extraordinary Times – Memories of a Post-War Decade https://strathwood.co.uk/products/britain-in-the-1950s-ordinary-lives-in-extraordinary-times-memories-of-a-post-war-decade Kevin

Among the crop of new releases, we welcome The Scottish Railway Scene 1973–2020 A Pictorial Reflection. https://strathwood.co.uk/products/the-scottish-railway-scene-1973-2020-a-pictorial-reflection

Now here is an important title for fans of British Railways in the steam era. Railway Times 1948 Railway Times is a new publication covering the British Railway period from 1948 on a year-by-year basis; what was happening on the newly nationalised railway, what was new and what was being seen for the last time. Compiled by Jeffery Grayer, each issue is of 80 pages and covers all six regions of the railway network. This first issue starts by covering the changes and events on British Railways year by year starting from 1948. 1948 was a year of upheaval. Public ownership meaning four very different organisations had to begin to be welded into one corporate entity. This meant the start of a standardised policy stretching from Cornwall to Scotland and all places between. It was a fascinating year and one which is explored in this new title. Contents Introduction 3 Nationalisation – the outward and visible manifestations of change 4 The times they are a-changin’ 13 The 1948 Locomotive exchange trials schedules 15 British Railways advertisements 18 Peppercorn’s new pacifics 19 Straight outta Horwich! 23 Named expresses 25 Atlantic abomination 30 1948 in colour 34 Oil conversion scheme scrapped 37 Curtains for the Corris 38 Passengers no more on the East Kent railway 39 End of the line for passengers on the Easingwold railway 41 A re-opening of sorts 42 Scottish border floods 43 Canadian pathetic 52 Rugby testing plant 53 Royalty comes to Doncaster 57 Black 5 modifications 59 Last of the line 62 Nameplate news 66 Brief encounters 68 Accident report 71 First of the many – the main line diesel twins 72 Southern region round up 74 Loss Leader? 76 Also making the news 79 In the next issue 80 Issue 2: Covering 1949 will be out in September 2023 80 Pages with 90+ B/W photographs. SOFTBACK https://strathwood.co.uk/products/railway-times-1948

One for fans of Class 50s. https://strathwood.co.uk/products/class-50s

Set to arrive in our warehouse today we have British Railways The First 25 Years Volume 12: London Eastern Region and the limited run reprint of The Hendre Ddu Tramway - 'Blue Stones and Green Trees' LIMITED REPRINT DON'T MISS IT THIS TIME THE FIRST RUN SOLD OUT IN WEEKS! Another rarity to arrive this week has been Hospital Tramways and Railways 4th edition follow the links for more details. https://strathwood.co.uk/products/british-railways-the-first-25-years-volume-12-london-eastern-region https://strathwood.co.uk/products/the-hendre-ddu-tramway-blue-stones-and-green-trees?_pos=1&_psq=The Hendre Ddu&_ss=e&_v=1.0&variant=43543200858357 https://strathwood.co.uk/products/hospital-tramways-and-railways-4th-edition Kevin

Among today's arrivals we have The Scottish Railway Scene 1973–2020 A Pictorial Reflection https://strathwood.co.uk/products/the-scottish-railway-scene-1973-2020-a-pictorial-reflection Kevin

Among this week's new arrivals, we welcome. Four-Coupled Tank Locomotive Classes Built by the Great Western Railway This book is a comprehensive history of all twenty-six classes of four coupled tank engines commissioned by the Great Western Railway or built at their Wolverhampton and Swindon Works, from the Broad Gauge 2-4-0 and 4-4-0 tanks of the 1840s and 1850s to the well-known Collett 0-4-2 branch line engines of classes 48XX (later renumbered 14XX) and 58XX of the 1930s. As well as the Broad-Gauge engines, the strange looking ‘Covertibles’ of William Dean, a number of experimental ‘one-off’ designs, the numerous Wolverhampton 0-4-2Ts of the ‘517’ class and the Swindon built ‘2-4-0 ‘Metro Tanks’ are described with – where known – their allocation and operation. The book includes twenty weight diagrams and nearly 300 photographs, over 50 in colour. The four-coupled tank engines absorbed by the Great Western from other companies at or before 1923 will be featured in a separate volume to follow. 184 Pages packed with 150 many of which are previously unseen Black & White and Colour Photographs HARDBACK https://strathwood.co.uk/products/four-coupled-tank-locomotive-classes-built-by-the-great-western-railway Kevin

FLASH SALE RRP is £30.00 SAVE 25% until midnight 19 March 2023 only, you can still combine within our 3 for 2 special offer. BR SWINDON TYPE 1 0-6-0 DIESEL HYDRAULIC LOCOMOTIVES CLASS 14 THEIR LIFE ON BRITISH RAILWAYS https://strathwood.co.uk/products/rrp-30-00-due-out-30-march-2022-pre-order-special-price-is-just-22-99-br-swindon-type1-0-6-0-diesel-hydraulic-locomotives-class-14-their-life-on-british-railways?_pos=1&_psq=BR SWINDON TYPE 1 0-6-0 DIESEL HYDRAULIC LOCOMOTIVES CLASS 14 THEIR LIFE ON BRITISH RAILWAYS&_ss=e&_v=1.0&variant=42289480663285 Kevin

The ever-popular Middleton Press range continues to cover the whole of the UK mainland railways with this most recent addition. Scottish Main Lines Inverkeithing to Thornton Junction Via Cowdenbeath https://strathwood.co.uk/products/scottish-main-lines-inverkeithing-to-thornton-junction-via-cowdenbeath A reminder that we keep good stocks of around 500+ titles from this publisher all available with our 3 for 2 deal.

If you are looking for a bargain, take a look through these 50+ titles all with at least 20% off and available as part of our market leading 3 for 2 deal as well. https://strathwood.co.uk/collections/discounted-books?sort_by=created-descending

The award for our most popular title for February was PORTRAIT OF THE SOUTHERN Q1 CLASS and the runner up was DIESEL DAWN 7 - WESTERN REGION CLASS 14 Diesel Hydraulic 0-6-0s D9500-D9555 https://strathwood.co.uk/products/portrait-of-the-southern-q1-class https://strathwood.co.uk/products/diesel-dawn-7-western-region-class-14-diesel-hydraulic-0-6-0s-d9500-d9555 Kevin

Another Scottish title just into stock we also have Montague Smith's Scottish Railway Album 1927-1962 available now. https://strathwood.co.uk/products/montague-smiths-scottish-railway-album-1927-1962 Kevin

Among the latest additions we have The Dundee & Arbroath Railway, this title is the product of over forty years of research and includes around 250 illustrations, many not previously published, with a colour section, maps and signalling diagrams, all in HARDBACK. https://strathwood.co.uk/products/the-dundee-arbroath-railway Kevin

Just to report we are down to the last few copies of DIESEL DAWN 3. The North British Warships D600-D604, D833-D865 for those who have been holding off, grab one today while you can. https://strathwood.co.uk/products/diesel-dawn-3-the-north-british-warships-d600-d604-d833-d865?_pos=1&_psq=DIESEL DAWN 3. The North British Warships D600-D604%2C D833-D865&_ss=e&_v=1.0&variant=39896786108593 Kevin

In stock and going out to advance orders right now. A Celebration of BR Standard 9F 2-10-0s https://strathwood.co.uk/products/a-celebration-of-br-standard-9f-2-10-0s If you like Standards how about this for a 3 for 2 deal whereby the lowest price title comes FREE STEAM'S LAMENT British Railways Standard Class 9F 2-10-0s https://strathwood.co.uk/products/steams-lament-british-railways-standard-class-9f-2-10-0s?_pos=2&_psq=9f&_ss=e&_v=1.0 STEAM'S LAMENT British Railways Standard Pacifics https://strathwood.co.uk/products/steams-lament-british-railways-standard-pacifics?_pos=1&_psq=standrad&_ss=e&_v=1.0 BRITISH RAILWAYS ‘BRITANNIA’ PACIFICS https://strathwood.co.uk/products/british-railways-britannia-pacifics?_pos=1&_psq=brit&_ss=e&_v=1.0