Description

The LMS version of this booklet benefitted from text by D.S,M, Barrie, a much better writer than the anonymous scribe responsible for the words here, which are adequate but lack any sparkle. Also the text is printed on very poor quality paper, just one step up from “blotting” from the feel of it, but the money saved has been spent on a coated semi-art paper, which shows off some very good photogravure shots to best advantage.

I may be mistaken, but one of these taken at a Railway Exhibition in aid of local hospitals at Romford, appears to show in the background a dozen or so visitors standing in a waggon body, being hoisted up into the air by a steam breakdown crane! I know “’Elf and Safety” is a modern concept, but did this really happen?

The last few pages ofthe book comprise a list of named engines at date of publication. It is perhaps pushing the definition a little to include “Scotts”, “Glens”  and J36s as “MODERN” but given the scarcity of published information on locomotive names and numbers in the 1930s (apart from the GWR of course, which had for many years recognised the publicity value to be gained) this full list would be welcomed by enthusiasts.

PREVIEW BELOW – MAY TAKE A WHILE TO LOAD.

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