Decline and Return to Mainline Steam: Special Trains in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s

During the 1960s, British Railways withdrew its steam locomotives from the national network, leading to line closures and railtours offering a final chance to enjoy special steam-operated workings. In 1968, BR established a ban on steam operation, which lasted until the early 1970s. The 1970s and 1980s were a golden age of railtours, with many unusual workings. Laurie Golden's book captures this era, with half of the photographs representing the rundown of steam operation and the rest capturing the era of the return to steam.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 15 August 2024
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

During the 1960s, British Railways (BR) embarked on a significant transition by withdrawing its thousands of steam locomotives from the national network. The process began gradually in the early 1960s but accelerated towards the end of the decade, leading to the cessation of all steam-operated trains by 1968. Concurrently, a wave of line closures aimed at making the railways more economical took place, although railtours in the 1960s provided enthusiasts with a final opportunity to enjoy special steam-operated workings, often on lines that were later to close. In 1968, BR imposed a ban on steam operation on its main lines, with the exception of the "Flying Scotsman," which lasted until the early 1970s. When the ban was lifted, railtours using steam returned, and the 1970s and 1980s became a golden age for enthusiasts, with numerous unusual workings. Laurie Golden's book captures these exciting years of railtours on Britain's railways, with approximately half of the photographs representing the rundown of steam operation in the period 1963-1968 and the rest capturing the era of the return to steam on the national network for railtours in the 1970s and 1980s. This book serves as a portrait of an era that is now part of the history of our railways, providing a glimpse into the transformative changes that took place during this period.

Weight: 312g
Dimension: 165 x 234 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398119093