Over the past thirty years or so, many changes have taken place on Britain's railway system - none more so than in the 1980s and '90s - with the withdrawal of many classes of diesel locomotives, thus cutting down greatly on the number of locomotive-hauled passenger trains.
Featuring a vibrant collection of never-before-published photos, this book offers a comprehensive look at British main line steam locomotives over the past 40 years. Organized by decade since the 1970s, it showcases a wide variety of steam engines, including rare examples. Each chapter is enriched with informative text that enhances the visual experience, making it an essential resource for steam enthusiasts and a captivating glimpse into this iconic aspect of British railway history.
Talks about: Barnt Green and Bromsgrove to Ashchurch; The Langley, Stourbridge and Worcester line; Worcester to Evesham and Honeybourne; Redditch to Evesham; Worcester to the Malverns and the Bromyard branch; Old Hill to Rubery; and Stourbridge to Dudley.
Originally part of the LNWR network, built to link industrial South Wales with the Midlands and the North, this scenic line runs from Craven Arms to Swansea via Builth Road, Llanwrtyd Wells, Llandovery and Llandilo, and is a popular route for steam-hauled specials.
Concentrating on the famous 16-mile preserved stretch, this book looks at the whole of the original route from Shrewsbury to Kidderminster and Hartlebury, and on to Droitwich and Worcester. It also gives a glimpse of the connecting lines to Craven Arms, Wellington and Woofferton, including the Cleobury Mortimer and Ditton Priors Light Railway.
Talks about: the lines around Shrewsbury; the North and West route from Shrewsbury to Hereford; branches from Leominster to Kington, Hay-on-Wye, Brecon and Talybont; the route of the 'Cambrian Coast Express'; Machylleth and Dovey Junction; and Coastal lines to Barmouth and Aberystwyth.