LONDON NORTH EASTERN (LNER)

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In this book dealing with the principal steam express locomotives of the LNER and its nationalised successor, we consider the Pacifics that followed those of Sir Nigel Gresley, finishing with the last, and perhaps by post-war railway operational standards, the most successful steam design, the A1 Pacific of Arthur Peppercorn. The A1 was introduced not merely in the eleventh hour of the old ‘Big Four’, but almost in the last five minutes of that hour. In the mêlée of nationalisation, the new Railway Executive’s mechanical engineering team, determined to create a new railway with the new standard locomotives, turned its back on the most successful large passenger designs. These were Gresley’s A4 and Sir William’s magnificent ‘Duchess’ Pacific, joined by Peppercorn’s A1. The sequence of events that led to the A1 actually started with Gresley’s Mikado of 1934, and it was the need to resolve the problems of these magnificent but flawed locomotives that led to the emergence firstly of the Pacifics of Edward Thompson, then secondly those of Arthur Peppercorn. With the relatively abrupt abandonment of steam in favour of diesel and electric traction, the working life of all post-war designs was truncated, and the engines’ working life became shorter with the later designs.



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The story of the development of steam traction on the East Coast Route must be one of the best known and documented stories in steam locomotive history, if not the best. The rapid enlargement of steam locomotives under the leadership of Henry Ivatt was followed by the long tenure of Nigel Gresley, culminating in his magnificent Pacifics, Green Arrows and Mikados, and 126mph. In this book Peter Coster touches on the salient features of the story as they concern Gresley’s first Pacifics of Class A1 moving on to his Class A3. The narrative and illustrations deal with the long history of these splendid locomotives, to which the author makes his own comments as they seem appropriate. For many of us, these locomotives had a special place in our affections. Nigel Gresley built his Pacifics not just to look magnificent, but to work hard and efficiently. We start with his A1 Pacific No.1470, which was introduced in 1922, and move on to the A3, introduced in 1928. The work of these locomotives will be described and illustrated, up to the very last in service under British Railways. The author has used the appropriate locomotive numbers for the period, and names, but has used 24hr notation for times of day. He has also used the LNER classification rather than the GNR, to which it was very similar in principle, but different in detail. Peter Coster has written this short account of one of the most famous and well-loved steam locomotive designs as both a railway engineer and as a lifelong enthusiast. Although he has done many things in his professional career and in his leisure, he has not been fortunate enough to work with locomotives such as these. However, it was his good fortune to know as friends many who did, and has drawn much from what he learnt from them in this book. This account is written by an author who lived, as many did, at the south end of the East Coast main line, and therefore it is seen in that perspective. Although he has tried to cover events and situations overall, the stories and anecdotes lean towards the southern end of the line.

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The Collected Reminiscences of Shed Life both on and off the Footplate

Life in the days of BR steam at one of the most renowned locomotive depots in Scotland, the celebrated Haymarket, 64B. A well-written worm's eye view from a Cleaner/Office Boy/Fireman who before he moved on to (much) higher things on the railway experienced every facet of locomotive life at Haymarket. This meant work in and around the Scottish capital and out to Glasgow, Aberdeen, Newcastle and the Waverley route. Star studded cast of LNER Pacifics, from SPEARMINT and MERLIN to AULD REEKIE, BONNIE DUNDEE and all the rest. Breathtaking collection of unseen photographs.

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