THE END OF STEAM …. WAS IT REALLY ALL OF 40 YEARS AGO? The Final Three Steam Depots of British Railways “Steam-The Grand Finale” is a landmark publication chronicling the last 8 months of steam on the British Railways main line and which all came to a close in August 1968 in an area in Lancashire centred on the final three steam motive power depots of Lostock Hall, Rose Grove and Carnforth. Sub-titled “A 40th anniversary tribute to the final men & machines”, this new book is actually published by the same team that produces the highly popular “Heritage Railway” magazine and has been written by former Prestonian, Alan Castle, who was particularly fortunate in being able to view the proceedings at first hand some 40 years ago.  Packed
from cover-to-cover with mostly previously un-published material, the
book contains no fewer than 270 top class photographs by leading names
of the time in railway photography - ALL taken in 1968, many in colour
and the majority of which have also never previously been seen in
print. Furthermore, numerous interviews with drivers,
firemen and engine shed staff at the final three depots have resulted
in this highly authoritative and absorbing account of events in a year
that saw the final whistle sounded on an era dating back more than 150
years.Consisting of 132-pages of high quality paper, no compromises have been in production, but despite this, the book still manages to retail at only just over a quarter of the price of some currently available and similarly-themed publications on the market issued to commemorate the End of Steam. Not unsurprisingly, therefore, “Steam-The Grand Finale” has quietly, but rightfully, assumed its place as the definitive market leader and, as a consequence of which, copies remain consistently difficult to track down. Despite this, the author advises that he recently managed to secure a supply for sale on a direct basis and that a small number of personally-autographed copies currently still remain available. Inclusive of postage & packing, these retail at £9.50 each and may be obtained by mailing a cheque/postal order to Alan Castle, c/o 2 Alderley Drive, Bredbury, Stockport, Cheshire SK6 2PN [ Top ]
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