Indian Summer Of Steam

The author’s second volume about the Great Western’s classic express locomotives covers their final six years in British Railways service. In 1960 the Castles, many now modernized with double chimneys and 4-row superheaters, were still in charge of most of the Western Region’s expresses, but by the summer of 1963 their regular express work was limited to the London – Worcester route. Their declining numbers in the last couple of years covered special summer and relief trains, parcels and freight work, deputizing for failed or unavailable diesels and a flurry of excursions and railtours where their prowess could still be demonstrated. The author worked and lived alongside them in these years and the book includes much of his own personal experience on the footplate, on their trains and on shed. The book recaps briefly their first 25 years and covers their history, operation and performance in their final years and is copiously illustrated including over 100 color photographs.

Under the shadow of the turbulent 1960s, this is my story of a journey through village India as an American Peace Corp Volunteer. I graduated college in 1966 with no idea of what I wanted to do in life. I asked the Peace Corps to send me to a place that was more different than anything I had ever known. I got what I asked for. India unfolded into a kaleidoscope of fascinating people and unforgettable scenes in a culture that never failed to amaze me. The sights, smells, and sounds of village India offer the backdrop of what happened, some stories quite incredible, but all true. After two years, I was infused with the spiritual and mystical quality that was, and still is, India--something that is almost beyond explaining. It cannot be found by touring India or even visiting an ashram, but only by living there, learning the local language, and being with Indians in their homes and work. Forty-four years after leaving the Peace Corps I returned to village India. Surprisingly, very little had changed. All of the profits from the sale of this book will be donated to the Vishwa Bharati non-profit village school in Anavatti, India; and to the School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, to support students and faculty in visiting India.

The Great Western Castles were one of the most successful locomotive designs of the twentieth century in terms of both performance and efficiency. Designed by Charles Collett in 1923, based on the 1907 Churchward ‘Star’ class, 155 were constructed almost continuously, apart from the war years, between 1923 and 1950, in addition to fifteen rebuilt ‘Stars’ and one rebuilt from the Great Bear pacific. Many were modernised with increased superheat and double-chimneys in the late 1950s and the class continued to be the mainstay of all Western Region express passenger services to the West Country, South Wales, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and the West Midlands until replaced by the WR diesel hydraulic fleet in the early 1960s. This book covers their design in a chapter written by Bob Meanley, who masterminded the restoration at Tyseley Works of the Castles Earl of Mount Edgcumbe and Clun Castle, and their history, operation and performance from the high speed of the 1930s through to their rejuvenation in the 1950s, leaving experience of their last years and preservation to another volume. David Maidment had close experience of the class when working at Old Oak Common between 1957 and 1962 and includes his personal experiences there and on the road from his first encounter with one as a six-year old boy. The book includes 350 photographs, some 40 in color, and 23 detailed Swindon technical drawings.

This book follows on from the author’s book on the Princess Coronation pacific locomotives from their construction in 1937 to their operation in 1956. It picks up from the story in 1957 with their operation and performance on the ‘Caledonian’, ‘Royal Scot’ and ‘Midday Scot’ accelerated services of the late 1950s, their continuing heavy work as dieselization of the West Coast mainline is implemented and the sudden withdrawal of the remaining examples at the end of the 1964 summer timetable. Included are the author’s personal experiences and photographs and the descriptions by three Crewe men who fired these engines on the heavy overnight Crewe – Perth sleeper services in the late 1950s, two of whom, Les Jackson and Bill Andrew, drove 6229 and 6233 in the preservation era. As well as their stories of their experiences in BR days, they describe runs with the preserved locomotives and have included photographs from their personal collections. Crewe Works fitter, Keith Collier includes his experiences of their maintenance and the author in conclusion compares them with the finest steam locomotives of France, Germany and the USA.

Emily Davis is ready for a summer adventure. She has been teaching school in Ohio for 15 years. She and her fiance had planned a travel vacation for their honeymoon, but that was cancelled when he was killed in Iraq. Now, Emily decides to take the vacation on her own, much to the chagrin of her best friend Rosie. Undaunted by Rosie's fear, Emily takes off alone in her five year old Beetle. A mystery begins with an adventure in Wisconsin when an Indian predicts her summer will revolve around Native Americans. As she continues traveling, Emily's mystery grows with each chance meeting with Indians. What does the prickling sensation that Emily feels mean? Why do the same names keep reappearing? Is there some final mystery to be solved? Emily's travels take her through Wisconsin, Minnesota, and South Dakota where she encounters a native who resents her intrusion. She faces a life threatening dilemma before the mystery is solved and her adventure ends. The story is a work of fiction, but the places mentioned for the most part actually exist and are places where the author has personally traveled. The author's knowledge of Native Americans, used while teaching language arts for 26 years, plus a vivid imagination weave an intriguing mystery.