Locomotives and multiple-units - Britain: books - overviews

ABC Traction Recognition (Third Edition)

The third edition of Colin Marsden's highly successful guide to all the locomotives and multiple units currently operating on Britain's network includes a host of changes since the last edition was published in 2011. All the new franchises are included, together with all the new types of rolling stock that have been delivered including:
- Class 379 'Electrostar' deliveries for the East Anglia franchise
- Final deliveries of Class 378s to London Overground
- Class 172 deliveries to Chiltern, London Overground and London Midland
- Virgin Class 390 Pendolino sets which increased from 9 to 11 vehicles and were reclassified as 390/1
- Vossloh Class 68 mixed traffic diesel locomotives

The author has also added for the first time a section on depots and depot undertakings. A must have reference for the modern enthusiast.

abc British Railways Locomotives 1954 (Combined Volume)

This book is a reprint of the renowned Ian Allan Publishing abc series from 1954, a pivotal period in the evolution of British Railways' steam locomotives. The publication captures the dynamic landscape of the 1950s, featuring a diverse range of locomotives, from the enduring pre-grouping classes to the prolific creations of the Big Four.
Notably, all British Railways Standard classes, including the distinctive Class 8 Pacific No 71000 "Duke of Gloucester" and the inaugural 9Fs, were in production by 1954.

This abc British Railway Locomotives Combined Volume for the year 1954 stands out as a valuable addition to this series, offering readers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of a remarkable era in locomotive history.

Miniature Railway Locomotives and Rolling Stock

During the nineteenth century, as the railways developed at an extraordinary pace, people began to build models of locomotives to either show how the finished engine would look when constructed or, more usually, so that they could see the locomotive in a much smaller scale than the original.

One such modeller, Sir Arthur Percival Heywood, believed that railways with a gauge as small as 15 inches could prove useful for businesses and private estates alike. Thus began the miniature railway scene, with the Cagney brothers of the United States soon transforming miniature railways into tourist attractions.

Before long, they were popular in the UK and have seen a surge of popularity over the last decade. With a collection of photographs documenting locomotives and rolling stock of all gauges between 3 1/2 and 15 inches, Royston Morris offers a charming look at the current British scene.

Railway Breakdown Cranes (Volume 2) - The story of the breakdown cranes on the railways of Britain

Originally published in 2013 and met with critical acclaim, "Railway Cranes Volume 2" meticulously explores breakdown cranes with a capacity of 36 tons and above, extensively used by diverse railway companies, British Railways, and the Ministry of Supply. Authored by Peter Tatlow, a retired professional engineer, the book provides comprehensive insights into these cranes, accompanied by precise scale drawings.

The content encompasses the cranes' composition, technical specifications, weights, sizes, and other pertinent details. Crucially, the volume is enriched with numerous illustrations showcasing the cranes in action across various scenarios.
This reissue fulfills the demand from enthusiasts who sought this book, allowing those who missed the initial release to complete the three-book series. Recognized as the definitive reference source on British railway cranes, the series, with this volume, continues to be an invaluable resource for aficionados and scholars alike.