The unique character of British Rail was the outcome of outstanding design work from teams of engineers, architects and designers over many decades. Every aspect of Britain's railways became part of the corporate design, not only its locomotives, trains and rolling stock, but also uniforms, liveries, posters etc. Inspired by Brian Haresnape's cult classic of the late 1970s, this new book tells the complete story of BR design and branding right up to the late 1990s. It covers firstly the challenge of nationalisation and corporatisation, then the complete branding of the network to include trains, rolling stock, staff, architecture, the development of BR corporate identity and then on to the 1990s when denationalisation brought a new requirement for design diversification. This beautiful book will be enjoyed by all those with an interest in commercial design and branding, as well as enthusiasts of the British Rail era.

The London Underground Electric Train tells the story of the development of electric traction on the London Underground railways. It combines technical knowledge, historical context and practical experiences. It covers the history of underground lines since the opening of the first deep-level underground rail system in the world in 1890: the City & South London Railway. The evolution of train design, including power, lighting, heating and design of the Underground cars is also covered along with the development of operational, engineering and safety devices on trains. Highly illustrated with period and new photography and technical diagrams, this book is a reference work for electric traction and underground rail enthusiasts.

'A delightful book ... the perfect companion as you wait for the 8.10 from Hove' Observer After the Beeching cuts of the 1960s, many railways were gradually shut down. Rural communities were isolated and steam trains slowly gave way to diesel and electric traction. But some people were not prepared to let the romance of train travel die. Thanks to their efforts, many lines passed into community ownership and are now booming with new armies of dedicated volunteers. Andrew Martin meets these volunteer enthusiasts, finding out just what it is about preserved railways that makes people so devoted. From the inspiration for Thomas the Tank Engine to John Betjeman's battle against encroaching modernity, Steam Trains Today will take you on a heart-warming journey across Britain from Aviemore to Epping.

Join Thomas and the Fat Controller on a very special journey in this beautiful picture book! The Fat Controller has been invited to London to be given an award by the Queen! Thomas must take him to his destination, but they are faced with many obstacles along the way. They even meet a shiny royal engine named Duchess, who is also in a big hurry! Will Thomas get The Fat Controller to London's Victoria Station on time? Accompanied by stills from the upcoming TV special, The Royal Engine, and a cover illustrated in the Awdry tradition, this brand new adventure is bound to thrill fans of the little blue engine.

The railways of East Anglia have a long and complex history, and this book provides a broad overview of the subject. Beginning with the earliest horse tramroads of Essex and continuing up to the privatized railway of the present day, it includes the tribulations of the early pioneer companies and the ongoing narrative of consolidation and rationalization to which the railways were subjected. Some of the more curious byways of the region's railway history are also covered. With over 140 illustrations, including archive photographs and original drawings by the author, this book includes: the Norfolk and Suffolk Rail-Road Company's fraudulent promotion of 1824; how the East Anglian railway network developed amongst bitter rivalries and uneasy truces, including the florid figure of George Hudson and the surprising history of two separate monorails in Essex. Potted narratives of some of the smaller branch lines and independent concerns are given along with information on the East Anglian railway companies and their roles in both World Wars. Finally, the sometimes-painful processes of nationalization is covered and their effect on the network as we know it today.

The Shelf2Life Trains & Railroads Collection provides a unique opportunity for researchers and railroad enthusiasts to easily access and explore pre-1923 titles focusing on the history, culture and experience of railroading. From the revolution of the steam engine to the thrill of early travel by rail, railroads opened up new opportunities for commerce, American westward expansion and travel. These books provide a unique view of the impact of this type of transportation on our urban and rural societies and cultures, while allowing the reader to share the experience of early railroading in a new and unique way. The Trains & Railroads Collection offers a valuable perspective on this important and fascinating aspect of modern industrialization.

This book describes seven branch lines which climbed into the mountain ranges that span the length and breadth of the countries of India and Pakistan. Some - like the Darjeeling Himalayan - are well known, but others - like the Zhob Valley, Khyber Pass and Kangra Valley lines - are less so. Several of these railways were also the last bastions of steam operation in the sub-continent. Unsurprisingly, as hill railways, most of them reached remarkable heights, many using ingenious feats of engineering to assist their climb into seemingly impenetrable terrain. These lines served diverse locations, each with its own characteristics, from the hostile territories of the North-West Frontier, along the spectacular foothills of the Himalayas, skirting the Western Ghats of the Deccan down to the gentle rolling landscape of the Nilgiris, or Blue Hills, of South India. The book gives the histories of the seven hill railways including summaries of their operations and routes. Maps and gradient charts for all seven railway lines are given as well as listings of the locomotives operating the hill railways.

This is the story of the train operating company First Great Western, whose performance rose from being the worst for a long-distance operator in the UK to becoming one of the best in a few short years, and whose passengers felt so disgruntled they even organised a fare strike. The franchise grew out of the Great Western's privatisation in 1993; the company, as it currently stands, was created after the merger of the First Great Western, Great Western Link, and Wessex Trains franchises in 2006. However, in 2008 the Department for Transport became so disillusioned with the company that it issued a Remedial Notice Plan, the first step to a holder losing its franchise-before a new management team kick-started the company back into life. In this book, the reader can find out how First Great Western became an award-winning train operator after coming so close to losing the franchise; they can also see photographs of the only Pullman Dining service in the UK, on the Paddington- Penzance sleeper train.The reader can learn about what goes on at one of First Great Western's main Traction Maintenance Depots, and about how new life was breathed into rolling stock that was old enough to be considered railway heritage. This book also discusses how the electrification of the Great Western Main Line will improve passenger services and cut journey times.

A 2-4 player card game of trains, tracks, and tricky decisions designed by the award-winning design duo Brett J. Gilbert and Matthew Dunstan. In the sleepy English countryside, life continues undisturbed as it has for centuries. It is up to you to travel to every corner of this land, bearing the promise of modernisation, accommodating the oddly specific demands of the locals, and ushering in the age of steam. In Village Rails, you will be criss-crossing the fields of England with railway lines, connecting villages together, and navigating the complex and ever-changing demands of rural communities. Connect stations and farmsteads to your local network while placing your railway signals and sidings ever so carefully. Meet the exacting standards of cantankerous locals planning strangely specific trips, and weigh their demands against your limited funding. There is much to balance in this tricky tableau-building card game of locomotives and local motives. Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 45 mins Age: 14+ Contents: 122 mini cards, 50+ tokens, 4 scoring dials

In 2010 the first volume of Mike Jacob's enchanting memories of his railway childhood was published. Memories of Isle of Wight Railways combined personal reminiscences with accurate factual information. Readers are privileged to see Hampshire railways in the 1940s, the time as a child he first saw a sailor carrying bananas at Portsmouth station-without knowing what they were, a strange machine that turned out to be the Leader on a test run, and later still, visits to Eastleigh and interviews with the works manager, which revealed some interesting facets on Mr. Bulleid and his engines. The story continues with equally wonderful descriptions of visits from Kent across to Cornwall. This new title is copiously illustrated with new material, a lot of which has never previously published. Just like the first volume, this is a compelling book that once started, will be difficult to put down.

Robert Ellis James-Robertson (but always known as Ellis) lived at Worcester from the mid-1950s and travelled extensively around the country building up a large railway archive. In the early 1960s a few of Ellis's photographs were published in books and magazines and the credit 'R. E. James-Robertson' may be familiar to some. This book of mainly unpublished colour and black and white photographs has been created entirely from Ellis's collection within about a 35 miles radius of Worcester, it will appeal to railway enthusiasts, modellers, and those with an interest in local history. The time period covered is from the mid-1950s through to the mid-1960s, steam is the predominant traction throughout together with occasional shots of early diesel power. Coverage includes much of Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire, plus the Birmingham area. Ellis and his wife Norah celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in 2013, and Ellis passed on in April 2015 aged 92. Their daughters, Louisa and Fiona, contacted filmmaker and author Michael Clemens whose late father was a friend of Ellis's. Ellis's collection lives on today at films shows around the country given by the author and now in this first of a number of books using his photographic archive.