NICK
Deacon has assembled an evocative selection of quality monochrome photographs from the Neville Stead Collection that portrays the important railway network around York and the surrounding Vale area – which is bounded by Thirsk in the north, Selby in the south and stretches to Harrogate and Malton in the west and east respectively. Though the main focus is on steam activity in the 1950/60s British Railways period, there is also fascinating material from the pre-Nationalisation LNER and pre-Grouping NER eras.
Much of the infrastructure depicted has long since vanished. ‘Off the beaten track’ highlights include the Easingwold Railway and the Derwent Valley Light Railway.
Many of the stations no longer exist or have changed out of all recognition. Motive power reflects the huge variety that was a feature of the steam era – from the diminutive LNER Sentinel ‘Y1’ shunters to the massive Gresley ‘W1’ No. 10000 ‘Hush-Hush’ and visiting LMS Garrett locomotives. How often did one see double-headed LNER Class A3 locomotives?
This is another excellent addition to our railway history from Transport Treasury. It is much enhanced by first class detailed and informative captions together with a useful map of the featured locations. Strongly recommended. RSS Published by Transport Treasury ttpublishing.co.uk80 pages, hardback. £13.50