South West

Peter Paye    [Publisher:  Oakwood  2015]    Softback    144 pages

A nice record of the branch line to Lyme Regis, which wound through the hills down from Axminster to its terminus perched high above the town. Containing full track and signalling diagrams and an interesting and comprehensive collection of photographs, including some fascinating views of the abortive post closure narrow gauge project at Compbyne. There are a couple of other books covering this subject currently in print and I would say this is a worthwhile addition and arguably the best for overall coverage of this very attractive route..

Colin G. Maggs    [Publisher:  Oakwood  2007]    Softback    144 pages

An informative and well illustrated history and description of a very minor railway that survived until 1975 when the dairy it served was closed. All eras are covered in a detailed text but the book's main strength lies in its photographic coverage of the line's infrastructure and the rolling stock used, especially in the BR era. There is good coverage of the latter freight only era and the types of diesels used, although classes 22 and 35 have unfortunately managed to elude the book's photographers.

David Butcher    [Publisher:  Oakwood  2004]    Softback    240 pages

Subtitled "A BR life, engine cleaner to stone projects manager", this is the first part (up to 1958) of a fascinating railway autobiography. David started his railway career as a cleaner, and after progressing to fireman forsake the footplate for a clerical career on BR as he felt that the impending change to diesel traction lacked challenge. His ebullient character and indomitable spirit saw him rise through the ranks, and eventually leave BR, but by the end of this book he is still on the footplate at "Top Shed".

David Butcher    [Publisher:  Oakwood  2004]    Softback    232 pages

In this second volume, David moves from the footplate at Top Shed to Area Manager at Westbury, where he was instrumental in the huge subsequent success story of moving stone by rail, which continues to this day. There is much of interest in this book, David gives a vivid account of a time of great change on the railways, which he was able to watch and ultimately influence from a very interesting perspective.

B.L. Jackson    [Publisher:  Oakwood  2000]    Softback    224 pages

Bit of a misnomer really, as the subtitle explains this book is devoted to bus services railway and otherwise, and there is not a single train to be had. I think it will still be popular though, it is wonderfully well illustrated and is written by someone who really knows and loves his subject.

B.L. Jackson    [Publisher:  Oakwood  2002]    Softback    160 pages

This is a pictorial album of photographs that could not be fitted in to the authors recent 3 books on the same subject. Starting with stone quarrying and its associated railways and traction engines, the book is a fascinating pictorial review of the Islands railways. I particularly liked the views of the tiny Bagnalls used by the breakwater railway after 1897, early views show construction of many features, whilst a few selected contemporary shots show the scenes today.

Colin Stone    [Publisher:  Oakwood  2007]    Softback    208 pages

An attractively produced book telling the story of a mixture of railway subjects from main lines to industrial tramways and sidings. Well researched and written by a local amateur historian, it is the coverage of the freight and lesser parts of the network which is the real joy of this book. Numerous maps, plans and track diagrams make sense of what was quite a complex network, and the various industrial activities and their associated railways are well illustrated with a wide selection of photographs. This is the enlarged new edition, even better than the original.

G.A. Pryer    [Publisher:  Oakwood  2000]    Softback    176 pages

A worthy follow up to the same author's 1977 "Southern Signals", a comprehensive and well printed collection of photographs covering the complete story of signal box development on the L&SWR. The S&D boxes after take-over are included, as are ground level boxes and all sorts of oddities and variations. The book includes notes on signalling and some architects and scale drawings, and also has an index. A wonderful study of an architectural style of one company, definitely one for my Christmas present list.