British Steam – Memories in Colour

No Comments Written by whizzbang on November 4, 2009 in Steam Locomotives, books.

This is another book by Keith Langston, which I have bought recently. It features a selection of wonderful images from a classic colour collection of Railway photographs. which celebrates the work of the Steam Locomotive within British Railways between 1948 and 1968 and uses exclusive images selected by the former proprietor of Colour Rail, Ron White, who has worked tirelessly for the past 30 years to bring together and preserve a photographic record of Britain’s Steam Railways as they were.

This volume contains colour images from all five regions of British Railways – Western Region, London Midland Region, Southern Region, North Eastern Region, and Scottish Region. and is a fascinating look at steam locomotives at work in all parts of the British Isles, with plenty of stunning photographs of many famous locomotives such as BR Standard 4-6-2 71000 Duke of Gloucester, glorious A4 Pacifics and many more besides.


British Steam – Power & Glory

No Comments Written by whizzbang on November 4, 2009 in Steam Locomotives, books.

this latest book by Keith Langston, celebrates the best of British Steam Locomotives and features over 170 excellent photographs, Including a focus on Mainline Steam workings during 2009, such as the wonderful Stanier Coronation Class 4-6-2 Pacifics Duchess of Sutherland & Duchess of Hamilton and BR Standard 4-6-2 71000 Duke of Gloucester,

The book also looks at steam workings in Wales. featuring a fascinating article & fabulous photographs of 5972 Olton Hall (AKA Hogwarts Castle), Stanier Mogul 42968, Black 5 45407, 4-6-2 no 46233 Duchess of Sutherland, 4472 Flying Scotsman, Rebuilt West Country Pacific no 34027 Taw Valley, LMS Jubilee 4-6-0 5960 Leander and Jubilee 45596 Bahamas plus many others,

The book also looks at the oldest named train in the world “The Irish Mail” which was famously hauled by Royal Scot locomotives for 30 years, with such wonderful machines as BR Standard Class 70000 Britannia, Pacific 6201 Princess Elizabeth, Pacific 6203 Princess Margaret Rose and BR Standard 8p 71000 Duke of Gloucester all mentioned.

Awesome articulated Beyer Garratts are also featured in the book & the history and development of these amazing locomotives such as the factors that went into the design is also explained.

Steaming through Snowdonia looks at the route of the Narrow Gauge Festiniog & Welsh Highland Railway from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog through Snowdonia National Park, and looks at the motive power used such as Beyer Garratt & Fairlie Engines, including the wonderful double ended Fairlies that can often be seen working the route.

The book also looks at the wonderful work of Railway artist & Photographer Craig Tilley aswell as the delightful rural narrow-gauge Lynton & Barnstable line, which is also remembered, looking at the history, the route, the locomotives and what happened to it all.