Description
In this completely new work, in the style of those previously published by Hugh Longworth, he covers in detail all the classes of diesel and electrics locomotives that were introduced by BR from the modernisation plan of 1955 to the privatisation of the railways in the 1990s.
Each class, which operated over this lengthy period, is covered in the book. The headlong rush to eliminate steam traction and modernise the railways from the 1950s onwards produced very mixed results. Some of the locomotives introduced were very successful and long lived with examples still in service well into the twenty first century whilst others were found seriously wanting and withdrawn completely after only a few years in service.
The book is split into two main sections:
- Locomotive Class Listing: This section lists all locomotive classes, with technical details and a short history provided for each class. Full lists of all locomotives in the class are provided, listed under (where applicable) 1948 numbers, 1957 numbers and TOPS numbers. Build dates, builder, current status/scrapping details and renumbering dates are included for each locomotive.
- Locomotive Allocation Listing: This section lists all locomotives (by their most recently carried number) and provides allocation details for their careers, as well as namings, renumberings and changes of ownership.
The book is illustrated throughout predominantly using colour photos and drawings and the data it contains is fully cross referenced. Hardback. 384 pages.
