Loadhaul Mainline And Transrail Livery

Andrew Cole showcases a variety of locomotives sporting Loadhaul, Mainline and Transrail livery.

Railway liveries play an important role in establishing much-valued recognition of the many operating companies through the variety of colors worn by their trains which ply our British railways. These reinforce the pride that their “uniform” bestows. This is demonstrated by the immaculate designs which adorned the Pre-grouping steam locomotives through to the stamp of Network South East which certainly raised the profile of many ordinary commuter trains, at least around London and the Home Counties. Similarly, it is a quality which is especially evident in the ubiquitous all-pervading British Railways blue era, which now features as an essential ingredient in diesel preservation, as also in a multitude of colors and futuristic designs bestowed by the contemporary privatized passenger and freight companies. Furthermore, consider the appeal of “retro” liveries which decorate some of the locomotives hauling charter trains, a trend which reinforces the popularity of liveries which were once merely part of the mundane everyday scene. Any glimpse through the news reviews and photographs published in monthly railway magazines will reveal such a kaleidoscope of colors adorning the locomotives and rolling stock which traverse the UK’s modern and preserved railways. This book endeavors to facilitate a brief overview of some of these liveries in the hope that it will whet the readers’ appetite to explore their own world of railway liveries.

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British Rail required another heavy freight locomotive, some of the earlier Type 5 freight locomotives being outdated and no longer regarded as suitable for heavy freight duties.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.

Kenny Barclay documents the diesel locomotives and DMUs in the closing decades of the British Rail era.

With previously unpublished photographs documenting merry-go-round coal trains on Britain's railways.

A look at the classic Class 56 locomotive, with a range of previously unpublished images. Coal, steel, petroleum, stone, engineers and mixed freight workings are covered, as well as some passenger trains.

Ross Taylor explores the fascinating world of Class 60 Locomotives.

A terrific photographic tribute to freight traffic in the final period of the British Rail era of 1980-1995.