Wow! eBook
British Steam – BR Standard Locomotives
Author(s): Keith Langston (Author)
- Publisher: Wharncliffe Books
- Publication Date: 15 Mar. 2012
- Language: English
- Print length: 208 pages
- ISBN-10: 1845631463
- ISBN-13: 9781845631468
Book Description
After WWII the existing railway companies were all put into the control of the newly formed British Transport Commision and that government organisation spawned British Railways, which came into being on 1st January 1948. The railway infrastructure had suffered badly during the war years and most of the steam locomotives were ‘tired’ and badly maintained and or life expired. Although the management of British Railways was already planning to replace steam power with diesel and electric engines/units they still took a decission to build more steam locomotives (as a stop gap). Some 999 (yes just 1 short) Standard locomotives were built in 12 classes ranging from super powerful express and freight engine to suburban tank locomotives. The locomotives were mainly in good order when the order came in 1968 to end steam, some only 8 years old. There still exists a fleet of 46 preserved Standards of which 75% are in working order in and around the UKs preserved railways, furthermore 3 new build standard locomotives are proposed. Steam fans who were around in the 1960s all remember the ‘Standards’.
Editorial Reviews
Review
Here Keith Langston Presents a ‘potted history’ of the different British Railways Standard classes, plus the Riddles ‘Dub Deed’, Providing a welcome reference work for those looking for an up-to-date picture. For what this book does succinctly is to show both the BD scene and the post-preservation era. Many reference books will give chapter and verse on the BR days and then just inform us weather a locomotive has been preserved or scrapped. For some locomotives there is – fortunately – more of a story to be told. After examining the work of Riddles and the Standard Design Group, a chapter is allocated to each class. In the case of the ‘Britannias’ and ‘Clans’, details and at least one photograph of each class member are included. There are a good number of illustrations throughout in black & white and colour with the quality ranging form average to excellent.- Steam Railway Magazine
About the Author
Cheshire based Keith Langston is a widely published and highly respected photo journalist who specialises in heritage transportation and industrial archaeology subjects. Keith counts himself fortunate to have known Fred Dibnah personally and to have observed the great man first hand as he went about his fascinating work. Keith Langston contributes news and feature material on a regular basis across a wide range of heritage titles, including Old Glory, Heritage Railway, Heritage Commercials, Tractor, and Towpath Talk.
