Railway Memories the Trials and the Triumph: A B.R. Motive Power Engineer's Experience of the Steam to Diesel Years: 26 Paperback – Import, 30 March 2012

Another book in the Railway Memories series, written by an insider. The Author started his railway career in 1949, just after nationalisation and finished just a few short years before privatisation. During his career he climbed steadily up the ladder, always on the locomotive/engineering side, and obviously witnessed the steam to diesel changeover at close hand. The book is a series of tales relating to his various career moves and the people that he met along the way. There are some very interesting stories within and lots of black and white and colour photo's, many by the author. He also gives his opinions about the new diesel influx from a running and maintenance point of view, and the shortcomings are explained. An excellent read, and railway oriented people will recognise some of the people mentioned. Just one thought, the word bureaucracy is mentioned a few times, but the correct spelling is never achieved. Something for the proof reader to dwell on.

I enjoyed every word of this. For those of us who weren't there, it's an eye-opening and interesting book. Strikes a rare balance between text and pictures: basically it's a narrative but the illustrations are so lavish that you're never left in the dark. Five stars.

Having grown up trainspotting in Hornsey the section on Hornsey MPD and the photographs were excellent.I would like to meet the author to discuss other aspects about the depot.As a reference book bout the start of diesel motive power its unmissable.Vol; 2???

A remarkable insight which I thoroughly enjoyed as I was part of the BR M&EE Dept and also met Tom. Excellent photographs.

A good flavour of the transition between Steam and diesel traction viewed by someone who was there.