Download or read book Peppercorn His Life Locomotives written by Tim Hillier-Graves and published by Pen and Sword Transport. This book was released on 2021-06-30 with total page 522 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Arthur Peppercorn, a vicar's son from Herefordshire, was the last L N E R Chief Mechanical Engineer. He managed his department for a very short time before it was swept away in the wholesale changes that followed Nationalisation of British Railways in 1948.Although a disciple and follower of Sir Nigel Gresley, he was his own man and developed his talent for production engineering that fully complimented the design skills of his greatly respected leader. He then became a worthy deputy to Edward Thompson during a war that demanded great personal sacrifices from both men. When he finally became C M E in 1946 he used his wide talents and experience to lead in developing two successful pacific classes of locomotives, that many rate as being among the best locomotives of this type ever to appear in Britain. This book, which is the first detailed biography of Peppercorn, tells his fascinating story and describes the influences on his life and career, illustrating his many achievements along the way.
Download or read book Gresley s Master Engineer Bert Spencer written by Tim Hillier-Graves and published by Pen and Sword Transport. This book was released on 2023-11-30 with total page 250 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The great and the good rarely, if ever, accomplish all they wish to achieve without the able assistance of many skilled men and women. To have a very capable person beside you acting as guide, confidant and adviser is essential. Even better when it is someone with a depth of knowledge equal to, or even better than your own. If all these skills can be combined in one trusted, assistant so much the better. To a leader such a person may be valued ‘beyond rubies’, because they have the ability to take ideas, add something and help make them a reality. For Herbert Nigel Gresley, CME of the LNER, Bert Spencer was just such a man. As Gresley triumphed his faithful, introverted and highly talented assistant remained resolutely in the background playing an unsung yet key role in the development of Gresley’s outstanding Pacifics and his many other memorable locomotives. For sixteen vibrant years Spencer sat beside his greatly admired leader witnessing and participating in all that happened adding much to an emerging legend that still resounds with us today. Here, for the first time, is Spencer’s fascinating story, much of it in his own words. This was made possible by the thoughts and memories he recorded in letters to friends, papers he wrote for the Institution of Locomotive Engineers, official documents and much more. All this has been edited together to produce a unique and important personal narrative of his life and work.
Download or read book Flying Scotsman and the Story of Gresley s First Pacific Locomotives written by Tim Hillier-Graves and published by Pen and Sword. This book was released on 2023-12-30 with total page 226 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Herbert Nigel Gresley’s first Pacifics, though notable in their day, were made universally famous by one of their number – 4722 Flying Scotsman. Throughout her life she has been feted and glamorised far more than any of her sisters and yet when appearing from the LNER Works at Doncaster in 1923 she was just another member of the class, but at some stage, early in her career, she acquired star status and to this day has not lost it. But why is this so and why do people care so deeply about this locomotive even though her deeds were easily exceeded by Gresley’s A4 Pacifics? Was it her styling, her name, her performance or simply the work of very talented purveyors of slick PR? Or was it an amalgam of all these issues? As Flying Scotsman reaches 100 ‘not out’ it is fascinating to reflect on these questions. But to do so we must consider how the Class came about, how they were developed, the impact they made on society as it was then, how they were sold to a waiting public and much more. From all this we may be able to understand why 4472 rose above the others and became an icon that still graces our lives today. It is, the author believes, a story without parallel in railway history.
Download or read book The A4 Pacifics After Gresley written by Ronald Hillier and published by Pen and Sword Transport. This book was released on 2023-09-30 with total page 226 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In their book ‘Gresley’s Silver Link’ the authors analyzed the evolution of the A4s Gresley’s and their service up to Gresley’s death in 1941. This book takes this compelling story from the early years of the war up to their demise in the 1960s After four years of service pulling the LNER’s most prestigious trains the A4s took on a more utilitarian role and for six years worked hard to support Britain’s war effort. From this they emerged bowed, but unbeaten, although in an extremely jaded condition. Once restored they took up where they had left off in 1939 and did exceptional service for the rest of their days. With the help of previously unpublished material the authors analyze the second phase of the A4s careers, first as LNER engines, then, from 1948, under British Railways management. Without a diesel or electric fleet of engines to replace them they entered a second golden age of fast running in the ‘50s. Then in the ‘Swinging Sixties’ they faced, as some thought, a premature end as part of a much delayed modernisation programme. Until withdrawn from service they continued to astound their footplate crew and performed exceptionally well, even when maintenance standards had slipped and their condition had deteriorated. They were thoroughbreds and have become a fitting memorial to the master engineers who produced and sustained them for 30 years or more.
Download or read book Gresley s Silver Link written by Tim Hillier-Graves and published by Pen and Sword Transport. This book was released on 2023-01-30 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Gresley’s A4 Pacifics are arguably the most famous locomotives ever built, a status cemented by Mallard’s record breaking run on the 3rd July ‘38. And yet only a year later the glamorous ‘streaks’ seemed likely to be cast into obscurity by the coming of another world war. So, for only four exhilarating years they were allowed to flourish as their creator had intended and in that time captured the imagination of railwaymen and public alike. With the help of previously unpublished material the author analyses the complex evolution of the A4s - a project that began in 1911 when Gresley was appointed as Locomotive Superintendent of the Great Northern Railway. It is a story with many strands to consider – war, peace and war again, engineering and art, politics and business, recession and social change, the growth of the media and consumerism, the struggle for professional reputations and a growing, deeply damaging international rivalry. All these elements are captured in the story of the A4s in the heady days before conflict ended their brief golden age and Gresley’s life came to an end.
Download or read book Peppercorn s Pacifics written by Peter Tuffrey and published by . This book was released on 2017-10 with total page 160 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Gresley and His Locomotives written by Tim Hillier-Graves and published by Pen and Sword. This book was released on 2020-02-19 with total page 881 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An in-depth look at the team who worked with the renowned British railway engineer, with numerous photos included. To renowned engineer Nigel Gresley must go great credit for many of the London and North Eastern Railway’s achievements, but those around him have faded into obscurity and are now largely forgotten, even though their contributions were immense. To redress this imbalance, Tim Hillier-Graves has explored the life of Gresley and his team, and sought to uncover a more expansive picture of these events. This in no way diminishes Gresley’s stunning accomplishments—but builds a fuller and more authentic view of a dynamic period in railway history. The book draws upon many sources of information, some of it previously unpublished, to present a fascinating picture of all that happened and all that was achieved, often in the most difficult of circumstances, by a very gifted team of engineers and their exceptional leader.
Download or read book LNER written by Paul Atterbury and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2018-05-31 with total page 64 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The London and North Eastern Railway, or LNER as it was familiarly known, was one of the Big Four companies that took control of Britain's railway network following the 'Grouping' in 1923. This network represented a challenging mixture of mainline and rural passenger routes, suburban services, and freight and industrial lines across the east coast of England and Scotland. Despite this challenge, the LNER became famous for its style, speed and efficiency, with record-breaking high-speed routes capturing the public's imagination, supported by iconic locomotives such as the Flying Scotsman and Mallard. Full of beautiful photographs, this is a perfect introduction to one of Britain's best-loved railway operators during the Age of Steam.
Download or read book British Steam Past Present written by Keith Langston and published by Pen and Sword. This book was released on 2011-12-01 with total page 282 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "British Steam: Past and Present contains an evocative mix of specially commissioned modern steam images and steam era archive pictures, the majority of which have never been published before.The work of accomplished steam photographer David Anderson is highlighted in three special Location in Focus features, studies of 1950s and 1960s steam workings at Oxford and on the mighty Beattock Bank. In addition there is the photographic record of a 1959 visit to Belfast, with unique images of steam on the Belfast Dublin (ex GNR route).Original photographic studies from the preservation era by David Gibson who features the Churnet Valley Railway, Paul Pettitt who features the Bluebell Railway and Southern Region locomotives, and Fred Kerr who presents an eclectic mix of Main Line Steam images, are all included. Freight locomotive preservation is not forgotten and is featured, using modern and archive images. Together with many archive and new images from the authors own collection these images present an enthralling window on steam, which is totally unrivaled."
Download or read book Classic British Steam Locos written by compiled from Wikipedia entries and published byby DrGoogelberg and published by Lulu.com. This book was released on 2012-06-11 with total page 570 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: do you want to know everything on steam locos, how they work? Read about the technology and lots of steam locos like the flying Scotsman. Compiled from Wikipedia pages and published by dr Googelberg.
Download or read book A Passing Happiness written by David Parnwell and published by Lulu.com. This book was released on with total page 173 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book LMS Locomotive Design Development written by Tim Hillier-Graves and published by Pen and Sword. This book was released on 2018-07-30 with total page 1014 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 1958 one of Britain`s greatest locomotive designers died without public fanfare or recognition, mourned only by his family. Yet William Stanier, arguably one of our greatest engineers and his leader, said of him that without his Chief Draughtsman all he achieved with the LMS would not have been possible. How could such a man slip from our view and remain anonymous, although his Princess Coronations, Black 5s and 8Fs are regarded as three of the finest classes of locomotive ever built? And today many survive as stars to grace the ever growing preservation movement.In reality, Tom Coleman was an intensely private and modest man who never sought recognition or commendation. His need for privacy may be one reason why his life has remained shrouded in mystery for so long, but finally his story has been slowly pieced together from a wide variety of sources, many previously untapped. So now we can see for ourselves his great contribution to railway history and recognise his singular talents.
Download or read book British Steam Pacific Power written by Keith Langston and published by Casemate Publishers. This book was released on 2013-09-19 with total page 596 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Pacific, collectively a name applied to steam locomotives with a 4-6-2 wheel arrangement is perhaps more commonly associated with express passenger engines but that is not the whole story, there were also Pacific Tank Engines. The LNER is famously associated with their streamlined Gresley A4 Pacific locomotives and that most celebrated of locomotives, Flying Scotsman. The new build Pacific Tornado has raised the profile of the 4-6-2 type to even greater heights. The LMS produced powerful Pacific locomotives to a Stanier design; whilst the Southern Railway constructed Bullied air smoothed 4-6-2 engines. The GWR, who built Britains first Pacific type, actually entered the BR era without a 4-6-2 type on their stock list! However Riddles included 4-6-2 engines in his multi regional BR Standard range. The locomotive specifications are illustrated and presented in a manner which will appeal equally to enthusiasts, model makers and railway historians.
Download or read book Yesterday s Railways written by Peter Herring and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 298 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Many still recall when the train was their principal means of travel, whether to school or work, to visit friends and relatives, or to go on a trip away from home. Trains were not only used to transport people; they were also an essential means for daily survival, delivering the coal that heated their homes and food that sat on the dinner table. It was a time when a train journey remained an adventure, and the steam locomotive that made such a journey possible provided a source of both awe and fascination. These times are recalled in Yesterday's Railways, a fascinating book that chronicles England's complete railway history from the ground-breaking years of the 1900's to August 1968 when the engine fires were put out for the last time. Readers will learn not only about the varied cargo, routes and destinations of these historic trains, but also how they were used during times of war as necessary tools of victory for England and its allies.
Download or read book Thompson His Life and Locomotives written by TIM. HILLIER-GRAVES and published by . This book was released on 2021-03-30 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Life and Times of a Duke written by Martyn J. McGinty and published by Author House. This book was released on 2011-05-31 with total page 125 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the story of a quarter-century struggle to rebuild from scrap condition a unique locomotive, it being an essential part of the British engineering heritage. It covers the unusual and efficient Caprotti valve gear in depth and solves the mystery of why the locomotive did not work properly in service. It was never improved until it was restored and its secrets revealed with a surprising conclusion.
Download or read book History of the East Coast Main Line written by Robin Jones and published by The Crowood Press. This book was released on 2017-02-28 with total page 460 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Since the mid-nineteenth century the East Coast Main Line has been one of the major routes from London to northern England and to Scotland. It has seen some of the greatest achievements in the railways, most notably the 'Flying Scotsman' becoming, in 1934, the first locomotive in the world to exceed 100mph and the 'Mallard' in 1938 claiming the as-yet-unbroken world speed record for steam locomotives of 126mph. The East Coast Main Line not only made history by facilitating an ever-faster link between two capital cities, it also provided an international stage for Britain's engineering marvels, inspiring many generations of schoolboys and adults alike. That was to continue after the end of the steam era on British Railways, with diesel and then electric traction setting a series of new records over the route. This new book looks at how the London-Edinburgh line became the world's fastest steam railway and how its proud and unique heritage is appreciated and celebrated today more than ever before. Superbly illustrated with over 300 colour and black & white photographs.
