In 1948, the newly-created British Railways inherited more than 20.000 steam locomotives from the 'Big Four' companies and from the other smaller railways nationalised at the same time. Over the next 12 years, production of steam locomotives continued with, initially, many of the pre-nationalisation designs being continued before the introduction of the new BR Standard classes in 1951. A total of 999 BR Standards were constructed between then and the construction of the last new main line locomotive - '9F' No 92220 Evening Star - in 1960. In addition more than 750 ex-WD Austerity locomotives were also taken into stock. Despite these numbers, however, by the end of August 1968, with the exception of the three narrow gauge locomotives on the Vale of Rheidol, all BR-owned steam locomotives had been withdrawn, with the vast majority being consigned to scrap.
Based around years of research, BR Steam Locomotives 1948-1968 is an exhaustive account of each and every steam locomotive operated by the nationalised railway between 1948 and 1968. Covering all the classes inherited in 1948 as well as those constructed post-nationalisation, the book enables the reader to identify precisely the history of each individual locomotive. Information provided includes technical data, modifications, date of construction, names, date of withdrawal and much else, thus proving the reader with a single-volume reference to the many thousands of steam locomotives operated between 1948 and the end of main line steam in 1968. Alongside the data, the book also includes illustrations portraying many of the classes.
Author: Hugh Longworth
Format: HB 320 pages
Publisher: OPC
Pub date: March 2005
ISBN 10: 0860935930
ISBN 13: 9780860935933
List Price: £35.00
