The Great Steam Chase

Amassing over 52,000 miles from Kent to Cornwall, here is the story of Keith Widdowson’s journey as he raced against time to chronicle the steam locomotives working throughout southern England before they succumbed to modern traction. From closing branch lines to final steam workings, here is the last snapshot of the golden age of steam.

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Amassing over 52,000 miles from Kent to Cornwall, here is the story of Keith Widdowson’s journey as he raced against time to chronicle the steam locomotives working throughout southern England before they succumbed to modern traction. From sleep deprivation to gung-ho drivers, this is no ordinary trainspotter’s diary but a nostalgic and evocative look back at how things really were in those steam days. A must-have for enthusiasts and locals to the closed railways alike, this is one man’s journey, with 140 contemporary images to capture the railway as it was then, fully aware that things were about to change for good (but not necessarily for the better). From closing branch lines to final steam workings, here is the last snapshot of the golden age of steam. It is a personal and informed account that all people with any interest in the Southern Region or steam in general will no doubt relate to.