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British Steam Military Connections (Hardback)

London, Midland and Scottish Railway Steam Locomotives

Aviation > WWII > Battle of Britain P&S History > British History Photographic Books Transport > Trains & Railways

By Keith Langston
Imprint: Pen & Sword Transport
Series: British Steam
Pages: 223
Illustrations: 200
ISBN: 9781473878532
Published: 10th June 2019

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In Great Britain there existed a practice of naming steam railway locomotives. The names chosen covered many and varied subjects, however a large number of those represented direct links with military personnel, regiments, squadrons, naval vessels, aircraft, battles and associated historic events. Memorably the Southern Railway (SR) created a Battle of Britain class of Light Pacific locomotives, which were named in recognition of Battle of Britain squadrons, airfields, aircraft and personnel. The Great Western Railway (GWR) re-named some of its express passenger Castle Class engines after Second World War aircraft. Names were displayed in varying styles on both sides of the locomotives, additionally some nameplates were adorned with ornate crests and badges. Long after the demise of mainline steam, rescued nameplates are still much sort after collectors' items, which when offered for sale command high prices. This generously illustrated publication highlights the relevant steam locomotives at work and explains the origins of the military names.

This is a superb book, generously illustrated with well written and interesting text that will appeal to railway and military historians, railway modellers and anyone interested in the London Midland and Scottish Railway. Highly recommended.

Tom Cole - Miniature Armoured Fighting Vehicles Association

I found it fascinating to go back in time to read about the history of all the classes, with the historical photos, with most of the locomotives featured now scrapped.

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Rail Advent

This is a must for any railway modeller. Packed with great images and superbly written.

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Vintage Airfix

A pleasant and interesting work that promises to become a classic thanks to its enriching content.

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Miniaturas JM

This unusual but well researched volume traces the background of those LMS locos which bore the names of military assets such as regiments, ships and related themes. It is beautifully illustrated with period and more recent colour images of locos, ships and miscellanea, with plenty of textual background information.

West Somerset Railway Association

The extensive research undertaken bu the author into railway and non-railway history, and the procurement of matching images, assembles refreshing new information of an old subject.

Steam World, December 2019

... for modellers in particular it is invaluable, and for railway historians it's an absolute must. Indeed, I'm reminded of the 'education' I obtained as a trainspotter, all those years ago, just by learning about steam locomotive names! Thoroughly-recommended.

British Railway Modelling, October 2019 – reviewed by Tony Wright

A brilliant treatise on the way British Rail steam engines were renamed after WW2 battles and aircraft following the end of the conflict. Railway and history buffs will find this particularly interesting.

Books Monthly

This book, made extremely well, makes railroad buff and military history enthusiasts happy and pays tribute to those splendid machines that once rode the railways proudly bringing their name up and down the UK.

Read the full Italian review here

Old Barbed Wire Blog

About Keith Langston

Cheshire based Keith Langston is a widely published and highly respected photo journalist specialising in railway and other transport related subjects. His interest and vast knowledge of all things railway stem from being brought up in the North West of England as part of a railway family. Over the past 25 years he has operated as a contributor to heritage sector journals whilst establishing himself as an accomplished author in his own right.

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