Product Description
This collection of photographs covers British Railways Standard designs and ex-War department Austerity locomotives purchased by British Railways during the landmark year of 1955. Following nationalisation, a new range of BR standard designs was announced, and these were awaited with anticipation. In January 1951 the first of the "Britannia" class was completed at Crewe; later no. 70004 "William Shakespeare" was displayed at the Festival of Britain on London's South Bank. Though initially not particularly well recieved by some enginemen used to more traditional designs, the "Britannia" soon proved themselves and were used extensively to serve East Anglia and in their early years the Southern Region. As more were elivered they spread to all regions. The East Coast main line used Gresley and other Pacifics until the early 1960s when they became a regular sight at King's Cross. Later these engines became threatened by new forms of motive power here and elsewhere. This volume covers British Austerity locomotives, which were designed and built to assist in transportation during World War II. Capable of being produced in large numbers quickly, the first appeared in May 1943, with the last of the numerous 2-8-0 class being withdrawn in 1967. The "Dub Dees" were particularly recognisable in their striking black livery when exworks. These locomotives were extensively used on the East Coast main line and in many other parts of the country, especially where there were collieries nearby. Follwowing the introduction, each class is represented with photographs of the locomotive in action and at rest. The text provides full technical details, allocations and duties performed, and important points on design and special workings. Covering two contrasting but important aspects of the latter days of steam working.
Synopsis
This collection of photographs covers British Railways Standard designs and ex-War department Austerity locomotives purchased by British Railways during the landmark year of 1955. Following nationalisation, a new range of BR standard designs was announced, and these were awaited with anticipation. In January 1951 the first of the "Britannia" class was completed at Crewe; later no. 70004 "William Shakespeare" was displayed at the Festival of Britain on London's South Bank. Though initially not particularly well recieved by some enginemen used to more traditional designs, the "Britannia" soon proved themselves and were used extensively to serve East Anglia and in their early years the Southern Region. As more were elivered they spread to all regions. The East Coast main line used Gresley and other Pacifics until the early 1960s when they became a regular sight at King's Cross. Later these engines became threatened by new forms of motive power here and elsewhere. This volume covers British Austerity locomotives, which were designed and built to assist in transportation during World War II.
Capable of being produced in large numbers quickly, the first appeared in May 1943, with the last of the numerous 2-8-0 class being withdrawn in 1967. The "Dub Dees" were particularly recognisable in their striking black livery when exworks. These locomotives were extensively used on the East Coast main line and in many other parts of the country, especially where there were collieries nearby. Follwowing the introduction, each class is represented with photographs of the locomotive in action and at rest. The text provides full technical details, allocations and duties performed, and important points on design and special workings. Covering two contrasting but important aspects of the latter days of steam working.
