British Diesel Locomotives Of The 1950s And 60s

After the Second World War, the drive for the modernisation of Britain's railways ushered in a new breed of locomotive: the Diesel. Diesel-powered trains had been around for some time, but faced with a coal crisis and the Clean Air Act in the 1950s, it was seen as a part of the solution for British Rail. This beautifully illustrated book, written by an expert on rail history, charts the rise and decline of Britain's diesel-powered locomotives. It covers a period of great change and experimentation, where the iconic steam engines that had dominated for a century were replaced by a series of modern diesels including the ill-fated 'Westerns' and the more successful 'Deltics'.

After the Second World War, the drive for the modernisation of Britain's railways ushered in a new breed of locomotive: the Diesel. Diesel-powered trains had been around for some time, but faced with a coal crisis and the Clean Air Act in the 1950s, it was seen as a part of the solution for British Rail. This beautifully illustrated book, written by an expert on rail history, charts the rise and decline of Britain's diesel-powered locomotives. It covers a period of great change and experimentation, where the iconic steam engines that had dominated for a century were replaced by a series of modern diesels including the ill-fated 'Westerns' and the more successful 'Deltics'.

In 2005, Ian Allan Publishing published Diesel Pioneers, which provided a complete overview of the development of the early diesel classes inherited by BR and those that were developed as part of the Modernisation Plan of 1955. This lovely new book takes the subject forward and covers the standard diesel locomotive designs that were made during the early 1960s which include the Class 33s, the 37s, the 47s, the Hymeks, the Westerns and the Deltics as well as the less successful Claytons. A number of these early classes proved successful and were built in significant numbers between their introduction and the ceasing of production in the late 1960s. Many of the most productive classes were, in fact, not to arise from the Modernisation Plan but were developed from the early 1960s onwards and this book covers these in detail. The book explores the background to the development of each class and provides an extended overview of diesel locomotive development of this period. Illustrated with unseen photographs, many with colour throughout, this book will appeal to the growing numbers of diesel modellers and enthusiasts.

As Britain moved from austerity to prosperity in the 1950s and 1960s, it became clear that British Railways needed to modernise its equipment and rationalise its network if it was to hold its own in the face of growing competition from road and air transport. After attempting to maintain pre-war networks and technology in the 1950s, a reversal of policy in the 1960s brought line closures, new liveries and the last breath of steam, as Dr Beeching and his successors strove to break even and build a new business from the old. From Britannia to the 'Blue Pullman', Evening Star to Inter-City, Greg Morse takes us through this turbulent twenty-year period, which started with drab prospects and ended with BR poised to launch the fastest diesel-powered train in the world.

This comprehensive history of these unique locomotives covers everything from performance issues to sightings, detail differences and liveries. The Type 2 Bo-Bo Diesel-Electric Classes 21 & 29 locomotives were constructed by the North British Locomotive Company in the early 1960s. Used in the Scottish region of British Railway, they ran into numerous problems and were withdrawn from service within a decade. Due in part to their short careers, these locomotives remain something of a mystery to train enthusiasts. The scant information available on them is very often riddled with misinformation. This authoritative volume corrects the record, presenting the most comprehensive and accurate account of the NBL Classes 21 & 29. Fully illustrated with photographs and detailed line drawings, this volume offers individual locomotive histories, complete technical specifications, accident and fire damage reports, storage histories, and a complete account of their disposal at both private companies and Glasgow Works.

During the mid-1980s, in a drive for greater efficiency, British Rail required another heavy freight locomotive, some of the earlier Type 5 freight locomotives being outdated and no longer regarded as suitable for heavy freight duties. The new Class 60 locomotive was to be constructed using lessons learned from the Classes 56 and 58. Six organisations were invited to tender but only three did so. The contract was awarded to Brush Electrical Machines (today, Brush Traction, part of the Wabtec Rail Group) for a powerful 60mph Type 5 Co-Co design, which resulted in an order being placed for one hundred Class 60 diesel-electric locomotives. Using original research from the National Archives, British Rail Class 60 Locomotives is a high illustrated guide that explores the commissioning of the Class 60s and their construction, testing and running. It undertakes an in-depth technical appraisal of the class and details names, liveries, modifications and preservation and includes the 'Super 60' refurbishment programme and acquisition of ten Class 60s for Colas Rail UK, bringing the timeline to the present day. Of interest to all diesel loco enthusiasts and railway modellers, thie book is lavishly illustrated with 280 colour and black & white photographs, many previously unpublished.

The rapid dieselisation of Britain's railways meant that many designs of locomotives were introduced from various manufacturers. Some were highly successful and generated a very enthusiastic following that continues today. "British Diesel Locomotives" is a superb collection of black-and-white photographs, supported by David Hucknall's usual meticulously researched and well-written captions that portray important locomotive classes. From the Deltics, the Warships and the Westerns to the Class 50s and 47s and even including the humble but essential multiple units, this book will remind readers of a fascinating evolutionary period for Britain's railways.

Seven friends recall the days when steam power was king in Yorkshire, England. The Golden Age of Yorkshire Steam and Beyond includes a wealth of unique memories and experiences from a collection of railway enthusiasts, who in their youth were fascinated by the steam locomotives that ruled the rails. Discover what it was like growing up in York and experiencing the sights and sounds of the giants of the former LNER system, including A4s, A3s, A2s, A1s and V2s, along with the Jubilees, the Royal Scots, and Black Fives of the former LMS system and the BR Standards. Explore life on the footplate of the engines allocated to Royston shed, right up to the end of steam. Read about the push and pull service that ran from Cudworth - Barnsley - Cudworth across the iconic Oaks Viaduct, as well as the Barnsley - Doncaster and York - Doncaster - Darlington journeys. Memories of Leeds, Normanton, Doncaster, Wath and Penistone are also included, in addition to shed layout drawings of Royston, Doncaster and York. Providing a fascinating insight into a railway system now long gone, the book is designed to ignite the memories of anyone who enjoyed the thrill of trainspotting during the 1950s and early 1960s, when steam was still king, before the rapid introduction of diesel and electric traction led to the complete elimination of steam from the rail network in 1968, with the exception of Flying Scotsman. The 1970s saw the return of steam on the mainline with steam specials powered by preserved locomotives. “All the authors have grown up with the sights and sounds of London North Eastern Region (LNER) giants, the former London, Midland Scottish (LMS) system and the British Railways Standard locomotives. The book will surely ignite the memories of anyone who enjoyed the thrill of trainspotting during the aforementioned years. The introduction of diesel and electric traction during 1968 led to the complete elimination of steam locomotives apart from those now preserved.” —Doncaster Family History Society