PublishedPen And Sword, November 2023 |
ISBN9781399022620 |
FormatHardcover, 184 pages |
Dimensions24cm × 25cm |
This book follows on from the author's book on the Princess Coronation pacific locomotives from their construction in 1937 to their operation in 1956. It picks up from the story in 1957 with their operation and performance on the 'Caledonian', 'Royal Scot' and 'Midday Scot' accelerated services of the late 1950s, their continuing heavy work as dieselisation of the West Coast mainline is implemented and the sudden withdrawal of the remaining examples at the end of the 1964 summer timetable.
Included are the author's personal experiences and photographs and the descriptions by three Crewe men who fired these engines on the heavy overnight Crewe - Perth sleeper services in the late 1950s, two of whom, Les Jackson and Bill Andrew, drove 6229 and 6233 in the preservation era. As well as their stories of their experiences in BR days, they describe runs with the preserved locomotives and have included photographs from their personal collections. Crewe Works fitter, Keith Collier includes his experiences of their maintenance and the author in conclusion compares them with the finest steam locomotives of France, Germany and the USA. AUTHOR: David Maidment was a senior manager with British Railways, with widespread experience of railway operating on the Western and London Midland Regions culminating in the role of Head of Safety Policy for the BRB after the Clapham Junction train accident. He retired in 1996, was a Principal Railway Safety Consultant with International Risk Management Services from 1996 to 2001 and founded the Railway Children charity (www.railwaychildren.org.uk) in 1995. He was awarded the OBE for services to the rail industry in 1996 and is now a frequent speaker on both the charity and his railway career and author of five novels, a book of short stories, two non-fiction works on street children and over twenty books for Pen & Sword's locomotive portfolio series, the royalties from all being donated to the charity.
