The LMS Princess Coronation Pacifics, The Final Years & Preservation

Covers the experiences of three Crewe firemen of the late 1950s firing the home depot's Duchesses' on the overnight sleeper trains to Perth. Includes personal experiences of, and photographs by, the author between 1957 and 1964. Contains descriptions and photographs of the preservation of three of the remaining Princess Coronation pacifics.

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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.