Focusing on the 1990s as a decade of change, all of the collieries and most of the coal fired power stations of that era have now gone. During that decade I made a point of photographing the collieries and power stations, and the trains that moved the coal, and so amassed a large collection of photographs. Being Worksop-based through my railway career, I am able to describe a potted history of Worksop Depot which opened in 1991, commencing with a brief look at the area in the late 1980s and into the 1990s. The run-up to the privatisation of the railways is followed by the new freight companies which brought changes in coal operations, before the wholesale decline in coal production. There are images taken in the Nott’s, Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Leicestershire, and Staffordshire coalfields. Brief descriptions of each colliery and power station illustrated are given, with maps to show their location, along with power station track diagrams, tables, and coal plans to show where power station coal originated. The book concludes with a few instances of locations that Worksop-based drivers served.
The first of the English Electric Type 1 design, what we now know as the Class 20s, appeared in June 1957. With their distinctive 'chopper' engine sound, these single-cabbed locomotives soon gained a reputation for rugged reliability brought about by their simplicity and use of tried and tested components. British Rail Class 20 Locomotives looks back at the operations of these fine locomotives since 1957, covering their varied workings and duties, regional use and railtour operations. The book also covers the technical aspects and specifications of the locomotives, including liveries and detailing. This book will be of great interest to all railway and diesel loco enthusiasts. Fully illustrated with 195 colour photographs.
Railway modelling offers a unique opportunity for the modeller to construct and operate an authentic simulation of the real thing. When one creates a model railway, one should strive to embed the sense of purpose from the real railway into their model. Simply moving trains around aimlessly around a layout may be enjoyable, but it doesnt reflect how the real railway operates. There is much focus on absolute accuracy with regards to locomotives and rolling stock but far fewer modellers in general pay attention to prototypical accuracy and replicating authentic railway operations in miniature. Operating your layout in a realistic fashion is not only more authentic, but it can also be an enjoyable pastime in its own right. It gives purpose to the movement of every train on the layout and, if it involves co-operation between more than one operator, involves teamwork and good communication which can be immensely satisfying. Finally, realistic operation is supported by many other factors, a sense of time and setting, sensible track layout, correct placement of signals, the proper formation of trains, realistic civil engineering, and layout clutter. These all add to the overall atmosphere and setting of a real or fictional railway, tying it to a time and place, and making the whole ensemble more authentic and thus making the whole experience feel more real. This book is intended to help those with an interest in the BR Blue (TOPS) and Sectorisation eras present their layout in a realistic manner using easy-to-understand sketches and drawings, previously unpublished period photographs and source material from the era. This book will give the reader ideas to help their N Gauge model railway come to life.
This book formulates a new strategy for the railways, trying to discover how much traffic British Rail can hope to obtain. It looks at two fundamental assumptions on which the Board's case for a large and virtually open-ended subsidy rests.
A look at the classic Class 56 locomotive, with a range of previously unpublished images. Coal, steel, petroleum, stone, engineers and mixed freight workings are covered, as well as some passenger trains.
Have you ever watched wagon after wagon of a goods train thunder past and wondered where it is heading, what it is carrying, and how it works its way between the passenger services? While goods services now tend to be shrouded in anonymity, in past times they were celebrated, prominently advertised, and in many cases were the raisons d'être for a rail route. Throughout the nineteenth and much of the twentieth century, goods trains were the lifeblood of the nation, transporting precious raw materials, construction and industrial items, and fresh produce from coastal areas and farms into the centres of bustling cities. This informative illustrated history shows how rail freight has been carried since Victorian times, and how systems have been organized, from the train itself to the sidings, railway clearing houses, goods sheds and final destinations – whether villages, towns, cities, factories or docks. It also examines the basic rolling stock of these trains, from the humble coal wagon to today's hi-tech containers.