Whilst the Southern Railway was the smallest of the 'Big Four' railway companies at the Grouping in 1923 in the UK, it encompassed a massive range of operation, from the highly intensive electrified services in the London suburbs through to the sparse pick-up freights on the lines in Devon and Cornwall.  It was, moreover, a pioneer in the use of concrete and, unusually, was still expanding its network through the construction of new routes right up to the outbreak of World War 2, with lines such as that to Chessington South being added to the company's mileage prior to 1939.  Even after 1948, with the Nationalization of the railways, the Southern still maintained a distinct identity, with the gradual expansion of the electrified network and the retention of the Bulleid Pacific classes through to the end of main line steam on the region in July 1967.  In the latest volume in the acclaimed 'In Colour for the Modeller and Historian' series, noted expert on the Southern Railway and Region Kevin Robertson has gathered together some 175 color illustrations that provide the reader with a visual record of the Southern Region's individual identity in the years after Nationalization. Drawing upon the work of a number of noted photographers, he has selected a range of images that show more than simply the classic lines of a Bulleid Pacific at the head of an express service to Bournemouth or Exeter. Rather he has selected photographs that show the Southern Region's services of the era amongst the infrastructure-the concrete stations and signal boxes, the green signage, etc-that helped to create the region's individual identity. Alongside the superb photographs, many of which are reproduced here for the first time, the author's detailed captions help to make the book a pictorial reference to all aspects of Southern Region operation in the years after Nationalization. With the ever-increasing standard of proprietary locomotives and rolling stock emerging from the major manufacturers, the skill for the contemporary railway modeler is to try and recreate as accurately as possible the environment in which the railways operated. To achieve this, the modeler, as well as the preservationist, requires comprehensive reference material and this is what BR Southern Region in Colour for the Modeller and Historian provides; it will become a standard reference for all those interested in the history of the region after 1948 and for all those who seek to recreate it either in full size or in miniature.

Br Southern Region in Colour: For the Modeller and Historian

ROBERTSON, Kevin

History

Ian Allan Pub

A new book which concentrates on the development of signalling specifically on the Western Region, and which will be invaluable reading and a first point of reference for all modellers as well as general railway enthusiasts. In the 1970s through to the mid-1980s there was considerable work on BR's Western Region in terms of replacing the life-expired semaphore signalling with colour light signalling. Amongst routes involved were the Berks andamp; Hants main line from Reading through Newbury to Taunton, the line north of Oxford through Banbury and the Central Wales line from Shrewsbury south towards Swansea. During this period, Kevin Robertson was travelling around recording the threatened signalboxes in colour as well as taking other details of operation. The photographs record interiors and exteriors as well as the equipment within the boxes themselves, thereby providing an exhaustive study of the subject. Detailed captions bring the photographs to life and give plenty of additional information.

Western Region Signalling in Colour

Europe

This title is a new and enlightening look at Oliver Bulleid's life, was undoubtedly one of the most controversial railway engineers of the 20th century. The author uncovers some startling new facts which run contrary to popular beliefs. Born in New Zealand, he joined Britain's Great Northern Railway in 1901, becoming Sir Nigel Gresley's assistant in 1912 and an important influence in Gresley's locomotive designs until the mid-1930s. In 1937, he was appointed the CME of the Southern Railway where he produced his radical designs of Pacific as well as the austerity 'Q1' class of 0-6-0 before launching into the radical design that led to the infamous 'Leader' project. Following the Nationalisation of the Southern Railway, Bulleid became CIME of CIE in Ireland, continuing his experimentation that culminated in the production of CIE's turf-burning locomotive. Following retirement in 1958, he moved to Malta where he died in 1970. Over the years much has been written about Bulleid and, more particularly, his locomotive designs. Whilst undertaking the research into the 'Leader' project, Kevin Robertson uncovered a significant amount of new information about Bulleid's life, much of which runs counter to traditional view. This is a timely and well researched biography of one of Britain's most famous railway engineers.

Bulleid: Man, Myth and Machines

Biographies & Memoirs

Historical

Ian Allen Pub

This book brings together the full story of one man's quest to design the ultimate steam engine, of the design and construction, test runs and management battles which accompanied its progress.

Leader: The Full Story

Engineering & Transportation

Transportation

Sutton Pub Ltd

The years between 1947 and 1962 witnessed a revolution in rail transport. Locomotives which had been retained for war service were now being retired and replaced by newer designs. Side by side, they presented a unique comparison. Eastleigh was the main steam works and shed for the Southern Railway, and would, over the years, see engines of all types. Some arrived at the nearby shed for service, some for repair and others passed through on their last journey to the scrap yard. One man, Walter Gilburt, recorded these scenes. Part of this collection is used in this book, almost every type of locomotive that visited Eastleigh and images of engines from other regions and private lines nearby.

Steam Around Eastleigh (Sutton's Photographic History of Railways)

Odd corners of the GWR from the days of steam

In this new book Kevin Robertson has brought together a fascinating collection of previously unpublished facts and photographs, to throw new light on the long history of the Great Western Railway. He has drawn upon hitherto inaccessible sources and has chosen to illustrate and record many unusual aspects of the GWR which have been overlooked in other works devoted to this famous company. The book covers subjects as diverse as experimental signal design, station furniture, the petrol railcar, the 1930s camping coach and even the GWR's accident record - hitherto considered exemplary. It illustrates the stations and the staff and above all the locomotives and the rolling stock upon which the high reputation of the company depended. This book will be entertaining and informative reading for everyone who has a sense of railway history. It will be specially valuable for enthusiasts who are keen to learn more about the background to the success of the GWR during the great age of British railways.

Odd Corners of the GWR from the Days of Steam

Sutton Publishing

In Odd Corners of the GWR Kevin Robertson has brought together a fascinating collection of little-known facts and rare images to throw new light on the long history of the Great Western Railway. He has drawn on hitherto inaccessible sources and has chosen to illustrate and record many unusual aspects of the GWR which have been overlooked in other works devoted to this famous company. The book covers subjects as diverse as experimental signal design, station furniture, the petrol railcar, the 1930s camping coach and even the GWR's accident record - hitherto considered exemplary. It illustrates the stations and staff, and above all the locomotives and rolling stock upon which the high reputation of the company depended. This is a valuable record for enthusiasts who are keen to learn more about the background to the success of the GWR during the great age of British railways.

World

The years between 1947 and 1962 witnessed a revolution in rail transport. Locomotives which had been retained for war service were now being retired and replaced by newer designs. Side by side, they presented a unique comparison. Eastleigh was the main steam works and shed for the Southern Railway, and would, over the years, see engines of all types. Some arrived at the nearby shed for service, some for repair and others passed through on their last journey to the scrap yard. One man, Walter Gilburt, recorded these scenes. Part of this collection is used in this book, almost every type of locomotive that visited Eastleigh and images of engines from other regions and private lines nearby. These pictures, supported by informative and detailed text, illustrate not only the trains, locomotives, and their sheds, but bring to life a nostalgic record of the Eastleigh railway scene as it was 40 years ago—a time when nearly every family worked on, or knew someone associated with, railway life.

Steam Around Eastleigh (Britain's Railways in Old Photographs)

Arts & Photography

Photography & Video

The History Press

During World War 2 Britain's railways were in the frontline and were targeted by the Luftwaffe's violent offensive against the homeland. Many railway workers lost their lives, and locomotives, rolling stock and infrastructure were destroyed. However, the railways were also an essential part of Britain's war effort, not only maintaining the flow of people and goods at home and evacuating people from the cities, but also playing a vital role in the movement of the armed forces and their equipment. The massive build up to D-Day would not have been possible without the logistical support of the railways. During this challenging and turbulent time, many photographers recorded for posterity the impact of war on the railways. As with many aspects of daily life during the war, the railways were effectively brought under government control and many photographs were taken for propaganda purposes. Despite this, there are also many moving images of the struggle to survive. In this excellent volume, distinguished railway author and dedicated historian Kevin Robertson has brought together the very best of a fascinating collection of images which have never been seen before. Showing not only locomotives, rolling stock, and infrastructure, he also beautifully captures the plight of the people involved at the time who kept the railways running against all the odds. This will be essential reading for all railway historians and enthusiasts, as well as anyone who is interested in the social context of this significant period.

Britain'S Railways In Wartime

Designed by Oliver Bulleid for the Southern Railway, although the prototype was not completed until after nationalization, the 'Leader' class was revolutionary. The locomotives had an unusual configuration with two power steam bogies, utilizing sleeve valves and chain drive rather than more conventional valve gear. The body was streamlined, looking more like a diesel locomotive than a conventional steam engine. Initially, five locomotives were to be constructed but only one, No 36001, was completed. This was exhaustively tested and was found to be wanting in a number of areas. Amongst the faults reported, the reversing gear often jammed and the drive and valve chains stretched over time making operation unpredictable. In addition, the fireman's compartment was small and cramped and was occasionally invaded by flames from the firebox! When in 1952 the press reported the demise of the project at a cost of some 500,000, it was widely regarded as a disaster, an impression that has persisted to this day. For more than two decades Kevin Robertson has been investigating the history of the 'Leader' project. During these years he has amassed a vast amount of information about the locomotives and the story that he is now able to reveal will rewrite the history of the project. Over the years, information has come to light from a variety of sources, including the firsthand accounts of those directly involved in the project, which shows that whilst the locomotive did have its flaws, it was by no means a complete disaster. Indeed, there is evidence to suggest that there were direct instructions from the highest echelons to ensure that the 'Leader' class failed. The British Transport Commission had seen the future and that future did not involve steam. Anything that suggested that steam could be modified and improved was therefore anathema to the authorities and was to be discouraged. With the benefit of hindsight it may well be that Bulleid was right and steam power did have a future. In The Leader Project Kevin Robertson brings together the information from his earlier books on the subject and combines this with the fruits of his most recent researches to provide the definitive account of the 'Leader' project. Alongside his comprehensive text, the book also includes a number of photographs covering the construction and testing of the class.  REVIEWS "will appeal to readers interested in the development of the steam locomotive in the 20th Century and the career British locomotive designer , Oliver Bulleid." Book News 04/2009

THE LEADER PROJECT: Fiasco Or Triumph?

Ian Allan Publishing

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