Fifty years ago, main line steam in Britain ceased to exist, the last official date being 11 August 1968. At the time, British Railways' plan was that after this there would be no more steam traction - although a special dispensation was given for Britannia Class 4-6-2 No. 70013 Oliver Cromwell to travel under its own steam into preservation on the 12th and 13th of that month. We now know that this was not quite the case, and that steam locomotives would eventually return to the main lines on highly popular 'specials'. With over 200 never-before-seen photographs, paired with fond and often amusing captions, this evocative book takes a look back at those days and years that led up to the end of steam on Britain's railways.

After steam finished on the main line on 11 August 1968, something had to take its place; something modern, less difficult to maintain, and that was a natural progression. 'Modernisation' was the word. British Railways - and later privatised companies - developed other methods of providing power. In the follow-up to Remembering Steam, Paul Hurley and Phil Braithwaite take the reader back down memory lane, exploring traction from the very first locomotive to the latest colourful multiple units, and of course the preserved locomotives, lovingly restored to their former glory and working heritage lines across the country. With over 200 never-before-seen photographs, paired with fond and nostalgic captions, The Changing Railways of Britain is a book not to be missed.