Diesel Locomotives - Great Britain: Books - History (1/2)

British Diesel Locomotives

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's usual meticulously researched and well-written captions, that portrays 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.

Preserved Diesels in the UK

There is a large number of British heritage railways running diesel locomotives today, some hosting special events bringing together several classes and operating intensive services, others using them to supplement steam traction, and many have locos under restoration for future use.

Using his fantastic collection of photographs, Ross Taylor displays the surviving examples of a wide range of classes, including (TOPS classifications) 14, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27, 31, 33, 35, 37, 40, 42, 44-47, 50, 52, 55, 56, and 58.

The sole surviving prototype HST power car is included as it was initially regarded as a Class 41 locomotive before the whole train became known as Class 252.
The Class 73 electro-diesel is also shown, but none of the Class 74 version survives. These locomotives are showcased in this informative and fully illustrated book.

Modern Locomotives of the United Kingdom

Post privatisation, locomotive haulage of passenger trains has not been favoured and most additions to the passenger fleet have been in the form of diesel and electric multiple units. However, new locomotive types have also been introduced and "Modern Locomotives of the UK" provides their story from conception, to ordering, construction, testing, delivery and entry into traffic.
Included are chapters on each of the new Classes: 66, 67, 68, 70 and 88 examining areas such as teething troubles, regular operations, liveries and names.

It will also feature the Class 59s the first privately owned locos on the network in 1986 and the forerunner to the Class 66. Also covered are the major rebuilds of ex-BR classes such as the 57s, both types of 73/9 and also the GBRf Class 56 project. Those existing locos fitted with new engines like MTU HST power cars and VP185 HST power cars are also included as are refurbishment projects like the 20/3s, 91/1s and ERTMS 97/3.
There is also a section on rebuilding projects and new loco orders that were mooted but never happened such as re-engineering the Class 60s, Caterpillar engines for Class 37s and the 'Green Goat' Class 20.

This book is a comprehensive and authoritative survey of the locomotives of the post -privatisation era and will be welcomed by all those interested in the current railway scene in Britain.

North Wessex Diesels

This book is a pictorial record of diesel-powered freight and passenger services throughout the area surrounding the North Wessex Downs. Roughly bounded by Oxford, Swindon, Reading, Pewsey and Basingstoke and covering over 140 route miles, this is a region of gently rolling countryside and contrasting light industrial scenes.

The period featured covers fifteen years leading up to the wholesale introduction of electric trains on major routes, when the much-loved InterCity 125 High Speed Trains still held sway on express passenger services, and Class 59 locomotives dominated the prolific aggregates traffic from the Mendips.
Photographs depict the changing seasons and a variety of motive power, operator liveries and traffic types including stone, oil, bitumen, cement, steel, coal, china clay, fly ash, automotive and infrastructure trains.

Diesel Locomotives on Scottish Railways

"Diesel Locomotives on Scottish Railways" covers most of Scotland from Thurso in the far north to the border with England, from 1974 until the present day. The book covers diesel locomotives from Class 20s up to the most powerful Class 70s.

In Scotland from the late 1950s, various prototype diesel locos were tried out with different degrees of success. Some were destined to be withdrawn very early while others have continued in service and are still going today, such as the occasional example of a Class 20 or Class 47.
One of the most common early diesels in Scotland was the English Electric Class 37, which could be found working almost anywhere. A few still work in Scotland.

Possibly the best of the early diesels was the Class 55 - the Deltics. They were introduced from May 1961 on the East Coast Main Line and also worked north of Edinburgh to the Central belt towards the end of their careers.

In this book, author Colin J. Howat shows a wide variety of diesel locomotives in action on Scotland's railways.

Looking Back at Sulzer Locomotives

A full-colour photographic album depicting the various classes of locomotives on British Railways that enjoyed Sulzer power. Inside we cover Classes 47, 44, 45, 46, 33, 27, 26, 25, and 24, not forgetting the seldom seen BRCW prototype Lion. Coverage is from their earliest days up to the scrap yard.

Additional chapters show various Sulzer types double-heading, or in distress and some splendid night-time photography displays the locomotives after dark. Many rare livery variations are covered along with informative captions to interest both the enthusiast and modeller alike.