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

As with the provision of main-line diesel locomotives, where BR acquired classes with differing forms of transmission, so it was with the acquisition of diesel multiple-units, where, although the vast majority were fitted with mechanical transmission, a number were also supplied either with hydraulic transmission or as diesel-electrics. For the classes allocated exclusively to the Southern Region, four different classes of diesel-electric multiple-units were acquired between 1957 and 1964. Used predominantly on those lines over which the third-rail was yet to be installed, or on those routes which were deemed unlikely to be electrified and were under threat of closure, the units operated widely over the Southern Region area. Acquiring cult status amongst enthusiasts, a number have survived into preservation. This companion volume to the earlier three volumes will include a brief introduction allied to a variety of illustrations portraying the career of the units concerned.

British Railway Pictorial Southern Region Demus

Engineering & Transportation

Transportation

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

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)

In the SUTTON'S PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY OF RAILWAYS series, a collection of photographs by Walter Gilburt and other photographers illustrating steam and other locomotives at work and rest around Reading between 1950 and 1963.

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

Business & Money

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

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