READERS of The RM often wish for a time machine to enable them to visit railways before they were born. In my case, I’d choose to travel to my native East Midlands in the 1930s – but the desire to do so is not so great now, thanks to this book.
It’s rare to find a ‘new’ and relatively untapped source of photos this deep into the 21st century, so George Barlow’s images from the 1933-38 period make a refreshing change from repetitive BR era offerings.
Born in Nottingham in 1916, he was a rail enthusiast who turned his hobby into a career, working as an engine driver on various military railways before settling down as a full-time driver on the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch line in 1947 and staying there until 1982 when he was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the RH&DR.