For conventional historians, the classic 1066 and All That provided an entertaining alternative account of British history; however, its authors committed the cardinal sin of ignoring the history of railways and so 4ft 8 and All That: A Sort of Railway History was born. As the author writes in his introduction: 'What is the Englishman able to do which lesser breeds find impossible, apart from watching cricket matches? Why, of course, he can laugh at himself! Though I must warn anyone outside the pale that it is permitted for him to laugh at us! Well now, RAILWAYS. Those pieces of steel which snake over the green island in ordered parallels, and only occasionally go mad and get knotted up at places like Clapham. They are our national nerves, and if you have nerves, you must expect headaches!'Taking an irreverent look at railway history, 4ft 8 and All That: A Sort of Railway History is a humorous portrayal of the origins of Britain's railway network culminating in an A-Z glossary, which includes such entries as 'N - NUMBERING. Oh, now for it. This superfluous practice was invented by a certain Mr Allan who was a numismological wizard - and a GREAT BENEFACTOR.' Illustrated throughout with line drawings and cartoons, 4ft 8 and All That: A Sort of Railway History is an antidote to all those highly detailed histories that identify, sleeper by sleeper, the intricacies of operation of some obscure industrial line in the Outer Hebrides.First published in 1964 and reprinted four years later, 4ft 8 and All That: A Sort of Railway History is a fascinating period piece. With nostalgia for the past growing as the years pass, now is an ideal time to unleash again upon an unsuspecting public this alternative version of Britain's railway history.

4ft. 8 and All That: A Sort of Railway History

Engineering & Transportation

Mills, W.

Transportation

Ian Allen Pub

The subject of railway signalling is one that continues to fascinate railway enthusiasts, preservationists and modellers alike. Over the past 30 years, traditional signalling has, to a considerable extent, disappeared as more modern colour light signalling has replaced it. But on the preserved railways and on many of the more remote lines it is still possible to see traditional semaphore signals in operation from historic signalboxes. In 1991 Ian Allan published Stanley Hall's British Rail Signalling Handbook, which covered the current operation of signalling on the railways. The book, which was later reprinted, inevitably concentrates upon the modern technology of the railway scene. abc Signalling in the Age of Steam goes back further in time to examine the development of signalling and how it can still be found in many places. Detailed examination is given to the operational practices within signal-boxes, thereby providing the reader with a detailed handbook to the subject. Despite the modernisation of the railway industry and the demise of many traditional signalboxes, many of the surviving boxes nationwide still control semaphore signals of a type recognisable to the signalling staff for almost two centuries, and Network Rail, as the non-profit-making body that now controls the nation's railway network concedes, knowledge of the traditional means of signalling remains imperative. Fully illustrated with both photographs and line drawings, abc Signalling in the Age of Steam will become the essential guide to this fascinating topic. First published in 1994 and subsequently reprinted, this book remains the best basic guide to the subject of traditional signalling available. It is recommended reading for those seeking a career in railways and also for those involved in preservation or who want a comprehensive guide to traditional signalling methods.

Signalling in the Age of Steam (Ian Allan ABC)

Ian Allan Publishers

Deregulation of the bus operating industry h as consolidated the plethora of small companies into a few l arge players. This illustrated guide provides detailed infor mation on the remaining examples of older vehicles and the n ew ones bought recently. '

Bus & Coach Recognition

Carlisle based, Eddie Stobart haulage fleet is a cult phenomenon. Alan Millar provides a detailed handbook on the current road and rail operations of the highly visible freight company and the vehicles it operates.

Eddie Stobart

An essential guide to the world's most important civil aircraft. This sixth edition has been fully revised and re-illustrated in colour throughout. The bible for the civil aviation enthusiast. The standard pocket reference guide to the myriad aircraft used for both scheduled and charter services.

ABC Civil Airliner Recognition, 6th Ed.

MARCH, Peter R.

Ian Allan

Designed to dislodge the German Army from its position west of Moscow, Operation Mars cost the Soviets an estimated 335,000 dead, missing and wounded men. But in Russian history books, it was a battle that never happened - a historical debacle sacrificed to Stalin's postwar censorship.

Zhukov's Greatest Defeat: The Red Army's Epic Disaster in Operation Mars, 1942

History

Military

Light wear to boards, bookseller's pencil marks. Shipped from the U.K. All orders received before 3pm sent that weekday.

P&o: Port Out, Starboard Home

The book begins with a study of the background to the battle, and a description of events on the Eastern Front before the opening of the offensive, including the decisive battle for Stalingrad that had finished only a few months beforehand. The strategic importance of the Kursk salient is considered, and the factors that caused the Germans to delay their offensive, even when the element of surprise had been lost. The extensive Soviet defensive preparations are covered in depth, as is the strength of both sides and the new equipment such as the Panther tank that the Germans were using for the first time. Kursk shows how a bitter struggle developed between the German and Soviet forces which sucked in huge numbers of tanks and men into a small area, so that it became the greatest armoured battle of the war. The Red Army of 1943 was very different from the force that reeled before the German onslaught in 1941, and its new-found professionalism and greater numbers wore down the attackers until all their momentum (and the battle) was lost. The final chapter discusses the full implications of the battle for the Germans and Russians.

Kursk: The Greatest Tank Battle Ever Fought, 1943

This book examines the changes to London Transport's bus operations that took place during the 1955-1969 period including the introduction of new Routemaster buses to replace the ageing trolleybus fleet.

London Transport Buses in Colour, 1955-1969

In this work, Gavin Morrison portrays the class in service during the 1950s and 1960s. Drawing upon his own collection and those of other notable photographers, the book is a pictorial tribute to the class and its operations during the period.

Working Steam: Rebuilt Royal Scots

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Books by Ian Allen Pub