The Diary of Thomas Baron 1855-1862

In 1855 Thomas Baron started work as a cleaner at the London & North Western Railway engine shed in Preston. After a few months he became a fireman, and later moved to Crewe and Abergavenny where he became Running Shed Foreman in 1862. Throughout this time he kept a diary, a daily record of the work he did, which was a remarkable achievement in itself in view of the long hours that he worked, fifteen hours a day not being exceptional. The diary is so rare as probably to be unique, giving an insight into the work of enginemen at this period. This book reprints the diary in full and adds interpretation, background information and illustrations.