BOOKS

British Pre-Grouping Railways is a series of 30 books I have been researching these last 12 years. The series is based on the Pre-grouping companies existing in 1923 including their own constituent companies as far back as 1825. The four major Grouping companies SR GWR LNER LMS are also included in the series as is BR. They have been very well received by my customers.

All the books cover a similar format, giving a short company introduction mainly concerned with the locomotive side of operations. There are extensive easily readable tabular details of engine classes with key dates, wheel arrangements, CME, number in classes, all renames and names previously carried etc. There are also tables of inherited locomotive classes from other companies and classes passed on at grouping. This information is arranged in different ways to give excellent cross-referencing. Also included are a locomotive genealogy and schematic maps of the companies’ lines.

The prime part of the work is related to the companies named locomotives from 1825, and again this information is extensively cross-referenced. Every book contains a Glossary of all named locomotives from each company with an explanation of that name. This has been a fascinating part of my research and answers the questions: who, what & where was the source of that name? The prime table is an extract from my “Locomotive Names Database” which contains extensive details of over 9500 locomotive names excluding industrial, colliery and Irish locomotives. This table includes numerous other facts and also gives the all running numbers of each named locomotive plus all the name changes of every engine.

I have revised several books in the series to include much more detail on every locomotive owned. These have been done in the same tabular way of cross referencing, making searching on any running number carried (Pre-Grouping, Grouping, BR very easy. Also added to the tables are the builders name and numbers, plus much other information.

There is an immense amount of information contained in the books, which should make them invaluable when searching for facts and details. They also make the identification of photographs very easy and the glossary is an interesting read in itself.

London Chatham & Dover Railway   ( Details all Locomotives )
South Eastern Railway   ( Details all Locomotives)
South Eastern & Chatham Railway   ( Details all Locomotives )
London & South Western Railway   ( Details all Locomotives )
London Brighton & South Coast Railway (Details all Loco’s)
Southern Railway    ( Details all Locomotives
Highland Railway    ( Details all Locomotives )
Caledonian Railway    ( Details all Locomotives )
Glasgow & South Western Railway (Details all Loco’s)
Great North of Scotland Railway   ( Details all Locomotives )
North British Railway
Furness Railway   ( Details all Locomotives )
North Staffordshire Railway ( Details all Locomotives )
Great Western Railway Part 1 Constituents from 1922
Great Western Railway Part 2 Subsidiary companies 1922   ( Details all Locomotives )
Great Western Railway Part 3 Broad Gauge ( Details all Locomotives )
Great Western Railway Part 4 Standard Gauge
LMS Subsidiary Companies   ( Details all Locomotives other than Somerset & Dorset - Summary only )
Great Eastern Railway
Great Central Railway     ( Details all Locomotives )
North Eastern Railway ( Being prepared )
Hull & Barnsley Railway    ( Details all Locomotives )
Great Northern Railway
Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway
London & North Western Railway
Midland Railway
London & North Eastern Railway ( Being prepared )
London Midland & Scottish Railway   ( Being prepared )
British Railways   ( Being prepared)
The Somerset & Dorset Railway   ( Details all Locomotives )

George Dent. Detailing and modifying R-T-R Locomotives in OO gauge Vol. 2 (Steam era)

I'd like to have a go at renaming my Britt, but......... Is it difficult ? What's the best way to fix the plates? How do I get the cabside transfer off ? Here in one volume are the definitive answers. How to change factory-applied decals, add period or individual locomotive-specific details, modify a livery or create an authentic weathered finish can achieve a sense of realism for your locomotive.

Regardless of the rising levels of detail, finish and performance of r-t-r models there are variation in components, equipment or livery that arise within long-lived classes. Manufacturers are unable to offer particular running numbers and names to satisfy every customer. Older locos may also require work to bring them up to the standard of modern r-t-r offerings.

This book is aimed at modellers, from beginner to journeyman. A range of techniques, materials and tools are described in detail in this well illustrated volume, with 400 colour photographs.

Available from 247:

£18.99 + £1.50 p&p and at shows.