Southern England
Items selected: Total cost:J.R. Fairman [Publisher: Oakwood 2002] Softback 128 pages
An interesting and well produced book, packed full of detail and featuring excellent photography. The subject was a very late addition to the British railway network, and unlike most such railways is still in existence today, carrying oil to and from the refinery at Fawley and military traffic to Marchwood. Marchwood still boasts a semaphore signalled installation, and whilst the line's future is not certain there remain some interesting possibilities for further development, all detailed in this informative book.
Peter Tatlow [Publisher: Oakwood 2002] Softback 120 pages
An analytical and unsensational but detailed record of the immediate consequences of Britain's second worst railway accident, (the worst was at Quintinshill in 1915), and of how the emergency and railway services coped with the effects both physical and emotional. The enormity of the task was truly amazing, from the physical removal of the wrecked train through to the re-routing of other services while the lines were blocked, all related in detail in this sensitive and respectful account.
Peter Paye [Publisher: Oakwood 2007] Softback 208 pages
Given that this railway closed as long ago as 1929, this book is a remarkably comprehensive history and account of this individual line. Built to standard gauge, and employing quaint Kitson built 2-4-0 tank engines and antiquated coaches, the railway was profitable in its day before bus competition led to liquidation and final demise. This is an Oakwood reprint of the 1999 book published by the author, a fact which is strangely not mentioned in the 2007 book.
Brian W. Aynsley [Publisher: Oakwood 2002] Softback 208 pages
A highly interesting and intelligent account of a career on the "Southern". Brian started as an engine cleaner in the days of steam and retired from middle management just prior to privatisation. Working out of Nine Elms, he drove the fast final steam trains on the main line before transferring to Waterloo and mixed traction, and towards the end of his career was closely involved with he dreadful Clapham accident, the description of which is quietly moving. Overall this book gives a valuable and detailed insight into the railway out of Waterloo, and the photographs are of good quality and very relavant to the text, including several taken of and by the author himself.