As featured in.

The Journal of the Stephenson Locomotive Society Jan/Feb 2023

This softback book is published by Pen and Sword Books Ltd (Transport imprint). It comprises the memories of eight steam enthusiasts in the 1950s and 1960s. There is a small section that describes journeys from Barnsley in the 1950s, another section deals with the rationalization of services during the 1950s and finally a short conclusion. It is edited by Peter Hadfield who is one of the authors along with his own photos taken at the time. The eight authors are Gerald Darby, Ken Gambles, Malcolm Parker, Jeff Hodgson, Peter Hadfield, Aldred Bostwick, Michael Watkin and Brian Mathers. There are 200 black and white photos in the book and one colour picture on the rear cover. What I like is that five of the authors have contributed their own photos taken at the time. Some of the photos span two pages which makes them panoramic views, which I like. There are also plans of various loco sheds including Royston, Doncaster and York. There are also tabulations of locos allocated to York M.P.D. in 1957, 1959 and 1961, the respective totals of locos allocated are 161, 160 and 202 respectively. The introduction introduces each enthusiast with photos as a lad and then as an adult with a brief description of when and where they worked.

Bradford Railway Circle

"The past is preserved for us all in these old photographs."

Village Publications (Bradway Bugle)

Edited by Peter Bradfield, who gathered the experiences of seven of his friends and colleagues who recalled the days when steam power was king in the areas surrounding Barnsley, Leeds, Doncaster, Darlington and Penistone

All the authors have grown up with the sights and sounds of London North Eastern Region (LNER) giants, the former London, Midland Scottish (LMS) system and the British Railways Standard locomotives. The book will surely ignite the memories of anyone who enjoyed the thrill of trainspotting during the aforementioned years. The introduction of diesel and electric traction during 1968 led to the complete elimination of steam locomotives apart from those now preserved

Doncaster Family History Society

As featured by

Platform 5

Review by Roger Backhouse

This collection of articles by various one -time “spotters” is a pleasing exercise in nostalgia... Members aged 60+ could remember the sights, scenes and sounds described here and will enjoy this book even if “Nostalgia ain’t what it used t’be”!

York Model Engineers newsletter

The book is well detailed and nicely written from the ordinary person’s point of view.

Review by Andy Thomson