Authors: Geoffrey Hill and Gordon Green
Series: UK Regional Handbooks
Publisher: Industrial Railway Society
ISBN: 1901556085
RRP: £24.95 (£18 for members)
Publication Date: 30th April 1999
Number of pages: 400
Format: Hardback
How Obtained: Purchased
Industrial locomotives are rugged and hardworking, but their individual histories are often subject to confusion. With engines being frequently moved between sites, especially those owned by nationalised industries an authoritative reference is invaluable.
Packed with detail, Industrial Locomotives of Gwent by Geoffrey Hill and Gordon Green is a handbook in the Industrial Railway Society’s series covering industrial sites of Great Britain. Along with a meticulously indexed and cross-referenced list of locomotives, the book presents an overview of the history and activity of each site.
A section containing a comprehensive list of locomotive worked sites and their engines is followed by specified owners such as the National Coal Board, civil engineering contractors and dealers. Each locomotive entry provides extensive information including type, manufacturer, how sourced and disposed.
Of great help are 23 pages of clearly drawn maps of Gwent and the major industrial sites, while the book is completed by a very interesting collection of 80 black and white photographs.
The story of an industrial locomotive is often anecdotal and misinformation can easily arise. Interestingly, in some instances, the story of these locomotives is unfinished. For example, Menelaus, a Saddle Tank built by Peckett is currently awaiting overhaul at the Brechin Railway Preservation Society.
Using the name index the complex history of Menelaus in Gwent can be traced from its purchase in 1939 from Cymmer Colleries in Mid Glamorgan by the Tredegar Iron and Coal Company through various NCB colliery sites, finally arriving at the Pontypool and Blaenavon preserved railway in 1983.
With such a huge amount of information presented, some minor slips are inevitable. For example the aforementioned Menelaus is listed as being built in 1935 at one point, but 1934 elsewhere. Since the manufacturer number is provided, however, the identity of the engine is in no doubt.
In Summary. Clearly a reference work cannot be judged in the same way as historical or anecdotal works. As such the book is not suitable for anyone with a casual interest in railways. However, for an industrial historian. transport researcher or even a railway modeller dedicated to building an authentic model, this is an indispensable reference book.
The Good
The Not So Good
Impressive and exhaustive list of locomotives, sites and manufacturers.
Superbly laid out indexes.
Informative selection of maps and photographs
This present edition is 21 years old and an update would be welcome.
Outline Contents
- Maps
- Locomotive Worked Sites
- National Coal Board/British Coal Corporation
- Contractors locomotives
- Dealers, Hirers, Repairers, etc
- Preservation Sites
- Indexes
- Illustrations
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