William Adams: His Life and Locomotives (Hardback)
A Life in Engineering 1823-1904
Imprint: Pen & Sword Transport
Pages: 224
Illustrations: 20 colour and 230 mono intergrated
ISBN: 9781399071963
Published: 12th September 2023
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William Adams (1823 – 1904) is probably best known from his locomotive designs for the London & South Western Railway. The years at Nine Elms were the culmination of career which began formally in marine engineering, including a period at sea with the Royal Sardinian Navy, encompassed civil engineering and surveying before joining the North London Railway as locomotive, carriage and wagon superintendent.
He has been described as the father of the suburban train, an inventive engineer, who pioneered the use of continuous train brakes, developed well designed, free-steaming locomotive boilers for services requiring rapid acceleration and frequent stops, and his invention of a bogie with controlled side-play revolutionised future locomotive design. His next move was to the Great Eastern Railway where his designs met with mixed success, before moving south of the Thames to Nine Elms. Here, over five hundred locomotives were built to his designs, with his later express classes regarded by many as his greatest achievement.
Adams also proved himself a very capable designer in developing locomotive and carriage works at all three railways, improving efficiency and reducing costs.
This book tells the story of a genial man with a love of music, who was undoubtedly one of the finest late Victorian locomotive engineers.
"The author has had access to family records to give some idea of Adams’ personality. He also briefly describes the careers of two proteges, his son, John Henry, and William Pettigrew. Sources are listed in a bibliography at the end of the book and the appendices include a paper presented by Adams and Pettigrew to the Institution of Civil Engineers in their 1895–96 session, ‘Trials of an Express Locomotive’, claimed to be the most detailed and comprehensive study of locomotive performance carried out in the Victorian era."
Journal of the Railway & Canal Historical Society
"This book includes numerous black & white photos including William's work with the Royal Navy, together with copies of his design diagrams for upgrades to locomotives, including various boiler improvements, which many will find of additional interest."
East Kent Railway members journal
"Truly an engineer from the age of steam in all its forms."
Swanage Railways Magazine - Winter 2023
"The author offers a wide-ranging and comprehensive account of the career of a civil and mechanical engineer, well researched and supported by copious drawings and photographs. The author has thus provided a fascinating summary of not only Adams as an individual but of the era he spanned."
Island Rail News, Journal of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway - March 2024
"The author has produced a well-researched biography of William Adams, combining both a biographical and engineering history."
Bulleid Express - The Journal of the Bulleid Society and The Bluebell Railway Battle of Britain Locomotive Group - Winter 2023/24
"This book covers his entire career with many fascinating technical details and photographs."
The Phoenix (RVR) Issue 106
"...this is a welcome work on perhaps an under appreicated member of the exclusive railway designer club."
Engineering in Miniature - December 2023
"William Adams had an impressive legacy and thanks to John Woodham's researches and first class biography, we can now appreciate just how significant he was."
Model Engineer, 29 December 2023 - 11 January 2024
As featured in
Heritage Railway Magazine - no:314, 22/12-19/01/04
"The Author made contact with descendants of the Adams family and, throughout the book, the family is updated...All chapters are well illustrated...this book is highly recommended."
South Western Circular - January 2024
"As well as numerous photographs covering his varied career, this book includes an interesting selection of locomotive drawings and diagrams such as boiler improvements."
The Colonel - No153
"Thanks are due to the author for his meticulous research and two nephews who complied some notes on a man they knew well personally, paying a most competent bicentennial tribute."
Steam World - December 2023
This most interesting book covers the life and times of William Adams who is probably best remembered for his locomotive designs for the London & South Western Railway.
Peter A. Harding - Branch Line & Light railway Publications.
Yet another fine book from Pen & Sword and highly recommended.
About John Woodhams
John Woodhams was brought up on the Isle of Wight in the final years of steam, with Adams O2 class locomotives an everyday sight. He became a chartered surveyor, and later a specialist tour operator. He now lives near Canterbury, but still volunteers at the island’s Steam Railway, where he enjoys the privilege of working with the last remaining O2. He has previously written several other titles on railways and local history.
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