Western Steam 1948-1966

The excellent photographs of railway historian and former Senior British Medical Council Researcher BWL Ben Brooksbank capture the twilight years of the steam railways of the Western Region. Nearly three hundred images are featured, including rare shots of the post-Nationalisation period, in an impressive hardback book. The collection includes locomotives running along trunk routes and branch lines, in stations and goods yards, and at engine depots and main workshops. Classes characteristic of the area are presented, such as: Collett Castle, Hall, Grange and Manor Class 4-6-0s, 5700 and 8750 Class 0-6-0PTs and 5101 and 6100 2-6-2Ts, Churchward's 2800 2-8-0s, 4200 Class 2-8-0Ts and 4300 2-6-0s and Hawksworth's County Class and Modified Hall Class 4-6-0s and 9400 Class 0-6-0PTs. Several absorbed classes, particularly in South Wales, are seen, in addition to BR Standard designs, such as the Standard Pacifics and 9F Class 2-10-0s.