The following publications are available in most branches of W H Smith, or by mail order from Mortons Media Group, who can be contacted by telephone on +44 (0)1507 529300. If you have difficulty obtaining any of the publications listed below, please use the Contact Us page on this website.
| British Steam Preserved |  |
| The end of steam traction by British Railways in 1968 gave renewed impetus to the railway preservation movement, which had started some years earlier. As steam was replaced by diesel and electric locomotives devoted enthusiasts started to rescue steam locomotives destined for the scrap mans cutting torch. This entirely new illustrated comprehensive listing of ex British Railways steam locomotives has been written and edited by Mid Cheshire based author Keith Langston as a follow up to his other recently published title ‘British Steam 1948-1968’. In the beginning locomotive and rolling stock restoration was neither a co-ordinated or planned affair. Various like minded, but mainly unconnected groups launched literally hundreds of rescue operations, not all succeeded. Fortunately a great many did and preserved steam locomotives from the former British Railways stock list total almost 400. In addition there are at least 10 ‘New Build’ BR type steam locomotive projects under way, some of which are utilising preserved but un-restored engines as ‘donors’. Several locomotives, not of BR origin but of ‘type’, now carry BR series numbers in preservation. In addition to those owned by us all (the National Collection) steam locomotives are also owned by individuals, trusts, companies and preserved railways. Indeed the preservation of unwanted sections of railway track and associated infrastructure ran hand in hand with locomotive rescue; accordingly 40 years after the end of steam the UK now has 71 standard gauge heritage railways and some 45 listed narrow gauge steam operations. Restored steam locomotives are used extensively on main line specials and in the summer of 2008 there were 11 tour promoting companies listed, operating between them some 25 main line steam specials per month, during the high season. There are also regular steam services on offer during the holiday months on routes which include Fort William - Mallaig, Birmingham - Stratford upon Avon, Bristol - Kingwear and York - Scarborough. Almost all of the preserved railways operate steam services and they are collectively a very important element of the UK tourist industry. Significantly the preserved railways cater not just for enthusiasts but for family groups. In the main the railways are operated by volunteers who have the privilege of working with preserved engines, carriages, signalling systems, stations and railway workshops etc. Those all important volunteers are effectively the custodians of our nation’s rich railway heritage. The National Railway Museum plays an important role in the preservation of steam locomotives as in addition to the national locomotive collection it holds important engineering drawings and invaluable railway archive material. To their credit the preservationists also rescued diesel and electric locomotives and a large number of Diesel Mechanical Units (DMU’s) many examples of which can be seen at preserved railways and occasionally on the main lines of the UK network. However this publication looks specifically at all the preserved steam locomotives which were once owned and operated by British Railways. Where are they now? What condition are they in? In effect British Steam – Preserved is a directory of ex BR steam locomotives illustrated with a huge collection of specially selected photographic images; as such it is an invaluable guide book and source of historical information. It is now available nationwide at branches of W H Smith Ltd or by mail order from the publishers via their web site at by clicking here Author: Keith Langston Cost: £7.99 Available: Now! | |
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| British Steam 1948-1968 150 Years of Engineering Excellence |  |
| This is the latest Bookazine by Keith Langston for Morton’s Heritage Media and WH Smith & Co. Published in July 2008 it is the first of a new series chronicling the history of steam power on the railways of Britain. If one word is used to describe the 20 year period 1948 -1968 then that word should be change. Not since the manic days of the 19th century railway building boom had Britain’s network been subjected to so much upheaval, attracting intense political and public attention. Some simple statistics serve to illustrate the point. In 1948 the railways employed 648,740 staff a figure that by 1960 had dramatically sunk to 514,500. As far as steam operations are concerned the figures are an even starker illustration of the changing times. January 1st 1948 steam locomotives at work in the UK totalled just over 20,000, at the end of 1960 around 16,000 remained, but by mid-night on 8th August 1968 that total was nil. Apart that was from three narrow gauge steam locomotives! British Railways came into being on January 1st 1948, following Royal Assent being given to the Transport Act 1947. The four companies formed by the railway amalgamations of 1923, LMS, LNER, GWR and SR became one entity, with overall responsibility for the then mainly steam operated network. The property and rolling stock of the four companies was re-branded and administratively six regions within BR were created. They were the London Midland Region, Eastern Region, North Eastern Region, Scottish Region, Southern Region and the Western Region. Railway carriages totalled 45,838 vehicles providing 2.65 million seats, whilst over I.25 million railway wagons and 17,318 containers were in service. There were some 7000 passenger stations augmented by 6900 goods stations. Enormous tonnages of freight were carried, for example the weekly total of coal moved by the railways in 1943 had averaged 4 million tons. The postal service was almost entirely dependant on the railways for trunk movements and over 25 million mailbags and 90 million parcels were annually moved by train. Britain’s railways were a huge undertaking and also major employers, that was of course before the fall of Dr Richard Beeching’s axe! Every one remembers the iconic steam locomotives, Britannia, Coronation, Flying Scotsman, Mallard and King George IV etc, but there were thousands of other steam locos who ‘also served’, ranging from humble pannier tanks to powerful Beyer Garratts. Shortly after Nationalisation, in 1948, BR made a decision to build more steam locomotives; the resultant 999 ‘Standard’ type locomotives had short but impressive working lives. All who lived through the steam era will remember fondly the steam locomotives working around the regions, which sadly younger enthusiasts can only wonder about. It is illustrated with over 250 pictures, the majority of which have not previously been published. See a selection of pictures from the book in the Railway photo gallery. Author: Keith Langston Cost: £7.99 Available: Now! | |
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| Made In Crewe 150 Years of Engineering Excellence |  |
| Made in Crewe: 150 Years of Engineering Excellence by Keith Langston is the latest special publication from the publishers of Heritage Railway magazine, and follows the successful sponsorship of the Great Gathering open weekend. The 132-page bookazine outlines the history and legacy of one of the world's greatest locomotive building works and is packed with rare and essential archive pictures, fact and features combined with modern-day views of Crewe's finest locomotives in action.Its looks at each of the classes made there, such as the 'Princess Royal Class 4-6-2' and the 'LMS Black Five 4-6-0' as well as a history of the works, famous visitors and much more. Author: Keith Langston Cost: £6.99 Available: Now! | |
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| Fred Dibnah Remembered The Life and Times of a Great Briton Heritage transport specialist Keith Langston travelled extensively with Fred Dibnah during the filming of his last TV series, 'Made in Britain', to record the event for Britain's best selling transport and industrial heritage magazine 'Old Glory', published by Morton's Media Group Ltd, as part of their heritage portfolio. Following Fred's untimely death, Keith wrote this book, drawing not only on his experiences with the Bolton-born steeplejack and TV presenter, but also talking to a many of Fred's friends. The result is a 132-page publication with over 150 unique pictures, many lent especially by the Dibnah family and others. The book commemorates the life and times of Fred, who many have rightly described as having been a truly 'Great Briton'. |  |
Author: Keith Langston Cost: £6.99 Available: Now! | |
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| Fred Dibnah Volume II Untold Stories, Unseen Images Following on from the massive success of Fred Dibnah Remembered, this second book contains all new material depicting the fascinating life of Fred Dibnah, written by Keith Langston with the kind co-operation of the Dibnah family. Titled 'Untold stories, Unseen Images' - this second bookazine includes great sections like 'Fred Said' (Famous Fred sayings), Fred's Way and many tributes from friends and colleges. |  |
Author: Keith Langston Cost: £6.99 Available: Now! | |
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| Heritage Waterways Past and Present They were Britain's first motorways, and brought about a communications revolution on a par with the worldwide web. Yet in just over half-a-century, canals were superseded first by trains and then by motorways as the preferred route for trade in goods. After being left to die, they have now found new life as 'linear leisure parks' for boaters, walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Our latest bookazine, Heritage Waterways, celebrates the history of the canals and navigations in the British Isles, their special features, their culture, their people. Edited by Keith Langston, the writer responsible for our successful bookazines on the late Fred Dibnah, Heritage Waterways captures, with some stunning photography, the essence of Britain's first superhighways. |  |
Author: Keith Langston Cost: £6.99 Available: Now! | |