Search for Steam: British Rail 1951-1962

A nostalgic look back on the heyday of steam, lavishly illustrated with rare and previously unpublished photographs.

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By the late 1950s the motive power in use by British Railways, both on passenger and freight services, was changing fast with diesel and electric traction becoming increasingly common. From 1958 onward, new, larger diesel locomotives were being introduced and started to replace steam locomotives of a similar size although the manufacture of the standard steam designs introduced from 1951 had only just finished.

With a wealth of previously unpublished images, Charlie Verrall offers a wonderful celebration of the heyday of steam and a fascinating record of a period of significant change on the railways. With sections covering each major region and a wide variety of locations, from lineside shots to loco sheds, Verrall’s account of this interesting period of British railway history shows the breadth of different workings that could be found across the country.

Lavishly illustrated throughout with scenes including locomotives at work and rest, Search for Steam will appeal to steam enthusiasts both young and old.