{"title":"Malcolm Batten","description":"\u003cp\u003eExplore the captivating world of Malcolm Batten, where thrilling adventures and historical insights intertwine. Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, discover tales of courage, conflict, and the enduring spirit of humanity.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"london-rail-freight-since-1985-book-malcolm-batten-9781445688985","title":"London Rail Freight Since 1985","description":"London's rail freight traffic is dictated by the geography of the city. When railways first came to London, each line was built by a different company seeking to link their area to the capital. There was no through service from one side of London to the other, and indeed the railway companies were prevented from entering the central area of the City and West End. In order to transfer freight traffic from one company to another, the various railway companies made links to the orbital North London Railway, which ran from Broad Street station in the east to Richmond in the south-west, and also had a route into the east London docks. Traffic from north to south London was dictated by the River Thames and the need to maintain height for navigation to the upriver docks and wharves. Thus there were no bridges east of London Bridge until Tower Bridge (road) opened in 1894, and no others until the QE2 bridge at Dartford (also road) opened in 1991. Most cross-river traffic, which these days includes traffic to and from the Channel Tunnel, used the route through Kensington Olympia and the river bridge at Chelsea.This book takes the freight routes around London geographically, in an anti-clockwise direction, starting in east London north of the Thames and ending in south-east London. It covers the period since 1985 when BR blue gave way to corporate sectors with different liveries and on into privatisation, and shows the various types of locomotives used, and freight traffic carried over this period.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49516630147345,"sku":"GOR011673530","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49733401903377,"sku":"NGR9781445688985","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445688980.jpg?v=1777714880"},{"product_id":"heritage-trains-on-the-london-underground-book-malcolm-batten-9781398115293","title":"Heritage Trains on the London Underground","description":"The busy London Underground may seem an unlikely location for heritage train operation, especially involving steam. However, this was the world's first Underground railway network, and the original sections were built to main line gauge using steam traction. London Transport and its successor London Underground Ltd have been acutely aware of the significance of this and have strived to preserve and present their heritage. Over the decades, open days and special trains operated over parts of the system. This included the running of steam-, diesel- and electric-hauled trains for the public to ride on, while at the same time maintaining the normal level of Underground train service on these lines. These special trains ran not only in the open-air outer sections of the network, but even on occasion through the cut-and-cover tunnel sections of central London.New signalling systems mean that this is unlikely to happen again, but the London Transport Museum continues to offer a programme of exhibitions, guided history tours and open days at the Acton museum depot.This book looks back at the principal events since 1963.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49516673761553,"sku":"GOR013347416","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49746396021009,"sku":"NGR9781398115293","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":51024357490961,"sku":"NIN9781398115293","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1398115290.jpg?v=1777714418"},{"product_id":"steam-in-my-lens-book-malcolm-batten-9781526772589","title":"Steam in my Lens","description":"Reg Batten was a railway and transport photographer, who started taking pictures in the early 1930s, mostly on the Great Northern and Great Eastern sections of the L N E R.  He later started taking pictures elsewhere on the railway network, covering other companies, also looking at other forms of transport like traffic on the river Thames.  This is the first book of Reg Batten's work, covering his railway photography from the early 1930s, through wartime into the 1950s, and steam on into the preservation era. This volume not only covers locomotive types but also looks at locations and interesting features of the railway scene at that time.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49560384176401,"sku":"GOR011847508","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53244936683793,"sku":"GOR014828167","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53498631520529,"sku":"GOR014947593","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1526772582.jpg?v=1750925656"},{"product_id":"shipping-on-the-thames-and-the-port-of-london-during-the-1940s-1980s-book-malcolm-batten-9781399018401","title":"Shipping on the Thames and the Port of London During the 1940s   1980s","description":"During the 1970s and 1980s the Port of London, and shipping on the River Thames was in a state of transition. New methods of cargo handling, in particular the introduction of containers and Roll-on, Roll-off vehicle ferries called for new investment and a rethink on the way dock traffic was traditionally managed. As a result, The Port of London Authority decided to run down and close the various London docks and concentrate all new investment downriver at their Tilbury docks.  These photographs, along with some from earlier decades, and mostly previously unpublished, are a fascinating insight into this period, when traditional ships and cargo handling methods worked alongside the new technology. Ships designed for carrying cargo in their holds were sometimes adapted to carry containers as deck cargo. There were also shipping types now lost to history, including colliers and sludge boats.  Not forgotten are the passenger ships -cruise liners to ferries. The various vessels that serviced the port from tugs to salvage craft and floating cranes. Finally, the heritage craft from traditional Thames Sailing barges to former paddle steamers now adapted as floating pub\/restaurants.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49569615642897,"sku":"GOR012389398","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49738344628497,"sku":"NGR9781399018401","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/139901840X.jpg?v=1750954169"},{"product_id":"london-bus-liveries-a-miscellany-book-malcolm-batten-9781445690650","title":"London Bus Liveries: A Miscellany","description":"London buses are red and have been for over a hundred years. The livery was introduced by London General and was continued by London Transport on its formation in 1933, and then perpetuated in principal by its successors, including after privatisation.  When route tendering was introduced in 1985, new operators awarded contracts were initially allowed to use their own liveries. London Buses set up some low-cost units to compete for tenders, and some of these adopted differing liveries. But from 1994, 80 per cent red livery was specified for routes entering central London. This was subsequently tightened to cover all routes and to become overall red, with only the fleetname to differentiate companies.  However, there have been several exceptions to the rule. Some routes have featured vehicles with special promotional lettering or liveries. Vehicles have appeared in commemorative liveries for royal and anniversary occasions. Vehicles used on contracts or long-term rail replacement services have also carried special liveries specified by the contractor. Also, vehicles used for driver training or for private hire and tours rather than bus routes have been given separate liveries. Many other vehicles have carried commercial advertising liveries since 1969.  This book explores the variety of variant liveries carried by the buses of London Transport and its successors since 1969.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49589952839953,"sku":"GOR011281351","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49601572372753,"sku":"GOR010956287","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445690659.jpg?v=1761141046"},{"product_id":"london-to-brighton-historic-commercial-vehicle-run-1971-1995-book-malcolm-batten-9781398107427","title":"The London to Brighton Historic Commercial Vehicle Run: 1971-1995","description":"The London to Brighton Historic Commercial Vehicle run is one of the premier events in the calendar for preserved commercial vehicle owners and enthusiasts alike. First held in 1962, this annual event has continued to feature every year since. Until 2019 it was traditionally held on the first Sunday in May, with vehicles traveling from London to Brighton where they line up on Marina Drive for judging and prize-giving in the afternoon. There is a rolling minimum age limit of twenty-five years, but vehicles may date back to the very origins of the internal combustion engine, while steam-powered traction engines and wagons are also included.  Malcolm Batten first visited Brighton for the run in 1971, and has been back each year without exception. In this book, some of the highlights of the years 1971 to 1995 are showcased. This period saw the run sponsored in turn by Foden, Wincanton Transport and then Scania.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49602313978129,"sku":"GOR013376963","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1398107425.jpg?v=1761646396"},{"product_id":"traction-engine-rallies-book-malcolm-batten-9781399081672","title":"Traction Engine Rallies","description":"The commercial life of traction engines and steam wagons largely came to an end in the 1950s and early 1960s. It was also at this time that preservation and display in the form of rallies came into being. It is generally acknowledged that the traction engine rally scene has its origins in a race between two engine-owning farmers at Appleford, Berkshire in August 1950. The rally movement soon grew as area preservation societies were formed. Some of these early societies and rallies continued to flourish and a number of these have now celebrated fifty or more years of activity, albeit not always on the same site throughout. Other rallies flourished for a while but then ceased for varying reasons. There have also been a number of 'one-off' events.The initial concept of rallies has developed over the years. Instead of just ring events many now try to incorporate working areas where the different types of engines can be demonstrated doing the tasks for which they were built.This book features a number of these rallies, starting with some of the early events of the 1950s and 1960s. Then a few 'one-off' events are featured, followed by looking at some of the rallies that no longer take place, and finishing with examples of those that are still flourishing. It aims to show something of the individual character of each rally, and some of the highlights of events that the author has visited over the last fifty years.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49613115687185,"sku":"GOR013674262","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49751226122513,"sku":"NGR9781399081672","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1399081675.jpg?v=1750794015"},{"product_id":"east-london-buses-the-twenty-first-century-book-malcolm-batten-9781445680675","title":"East London Buses: The Twenty-First Century","description":"The start of the twenty-first century saw a flurry of bus activity at Stratford in East London to provide services to the Millennium Dome – this proved to be largely unneeded. Far more significant was the award of the Olympic Games to London in 2012, with Stratford as the hub of the events and of subsequent regeneration.  Following privatisation of London Transport in the 1990s, a small number of large operators had arisen, buying out many of the smaller companies that had won tendered services. The variety of liveries was also to disappear as Transport for London increasingly specified London red livery for its tendered buses. London bus travel has boomed, as a result of the popular Oyster card, Freedom Passes and the fact that the population is rapidly growing. A nightlife economy has led to more routes running 24\/7.  With a wealth of previously unpublished images, Malcolm Batten observes what has changed in the East London bus scene since the turn of the century.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49620350435601,"sku":"GOR011247074","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/144568067X.jpg?v=1777714563"},{"product_id":"wessex-buses-1970-1985-local-authority-fleets-independents-and-the-isle-of-wight-book-malcolm-batten-9781445694955","title":"Wessex Buses 1970-1985: Local Authority Fleets, Independents and the Isle of Wight","description":"The bus scene around Southampton and its surrounding towns in the 1970s and early 1980s was one of change. The National Bus Company had been set up in 1970 as part of the 1968 Transport Act. This brought together the former nationalised Transport Holding Company fleets such as Hants \u0026amp; Dorset and Wilts \u0026amp; Dorset and the former BET fleets such as Southdown. The independent company Gosport \u0026amp; Fareham Omnibus (trading as Provincial) sold out to the NBC at the same time. At first there was little sign of change, but as the decade progressed companies were merged, area boundaries changed and new standard National liveries adopted, replacing the former variety. On the Isle of Wight, change was less profound, with Southern Vectis remaining the main company, though now under NBC control. Meanwhile local authority fleets flourished in Southampton, Portsmouth and Bournemouth, each adapting in their own way to changing circumstances.  This, the second in a pair of books, covers the local authority fleets, independent companies, and the Isle of Wight.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49645494567185,"sku":"GOR013622544","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445694956.jpg?v=1761141583"},{"product_id":"london-s-buses-the-colourful-era-1985-2005-book-malcolm-batten-9781445684031","title":"London's Buses: The Colourful Era 1985-2005","description":"Ask any tourists what colour London's buses are and they will say red - and so they are. However, that has not quite always been the case as from 1985 until around 2005 there were buses in all sorts of colours running around the Greater London area. They did not even necessarily say that they were London buses - some claimed to be Kentish buses, while others had intriguing fleet-names like Armchair, Blue Triangle or Grey-Green. Even London Buses themselves started running vehicles in the Bexley area in a blue-and-cream livery. How did this situation come about, and why did it end?This book looks at the period of route tendering and privatisation, the variety of operators who came to work London's bus routes and the range of vehicle types and liveries they brought to the capital.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49665126826257,"sku":"GOR010001803","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51268281958673,"sku":"GOR010956136","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445684039.jpg?v=1777715306"},{"product_id":"east-london-railways-book-malcolm-batten-9781445680712","title":"East London Railways","description":"Britain's railways in the early 1970s looked to be in terminal decline. The Beeching cuts of the 1960s had slashed much of the network, but still lines were closing and underinvestment left much of the rest in a sorry state. Since then, there has been privatisation and transformation (although whether these are cause and effect are debatable) to a situation now where passenger travel is booming.Nowhere has change been more pronounced than in East London. The redevelopment of the former docks into Docklands led to the construction of the Docklands Light Railway in the late 1980s, and the rejuvenation of other lines. The Millennium Dome celebrations and the award of the Olympic Games to Stratford each justified investment in new lines and facilities. But most of all, London's growing population has required transport, and particularly rail investment, to keep the city moving. Crossrail is the largest single investment, linking east and south-east London through the City and West End to Heathrow and Reading in the west.This book charts the changes to East London's railways from the 1970s to the forthcoming opening of Crossrail.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49734311969041,"sku":"NGR9781445680712","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49849461834001,"sku":"GOR013390389","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445680718.jpg?v=1778148040"},{"product_id":"diesels-and-electrics-in-london-and-the-south-east-book-malcolm-batten-9781445690575","title":"Diesels and Electrics in London and the South East","description":"The railway lines of London and the South East include tracks from all four of the constituent companies that made up British Railways and subsequently became the Eastern, Midland, Southern and Western regions. Each region took a separate approach when diesels and electrics replaced steam in the 1950s and 1960s.In June 1986 Network SouthEast was launched to collectively market passenger services throughout this area, with a distinctive livery applied to locomotives, rolling stock and stations. This lasted until it was disbanded from 1 April 1994 in preparation for privatisation, since when a variety of companies have held franchises for particular areas.This book features a selection of diesel and electric locomotives in an area of some 50-60 miles from the capital, over a period beginning in 1969. It takes the form of visiting the lines from each of the main London termini, showing a typical selection of the freight and passenger workings to be seen.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49734364725521,"sku":"NGR9781445690575","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51396022894865,"sku":"GOR011595261","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445690578.jpg?v=1764755758"},{"product_id":"bus-company-service-vehicles-book-malcolm-batten-9781398104747","title":"Bus Company Service Vehicles","description":"In the days before privatisation, many bus companies adapted old buses for a variety of specialist uses as service vehicles. Using the skills and ingenuity of their workshops, buses might become, among other things, stores vans, tree loppers or uniform stores. Trolleybuses may have been converted to tower wagons to maintain the overhead wires. Some bus operators converted old buses to towing lorries to rescue broken down vehicles. Others preferred ex-military trucks such as the AEC Matador. These came with somewhat austere cabs, but here again the body shop would often come up with a custom-built body using various bus parts. Buses would also be adapted to serve as information offices or publicity buses, promoting such things as holiday tours or special ticket offers.  Since privatisation, such practices have died out for a variety of reasons. Expensive, in-house workshops have largely been closed. Construction and Use Regulations have been tightened up. Emissions zone restrictions may limit the use of older less clean engines in city centres. Furthermore the modern low-floor rear-engine buses are probably less suited to such conversions. Companies will use the services of specialist commercial bus and truck rescue services rather than retaining their own towing vehicles.  This book looks at a variety of service vehicles from around the country over the last fifty years, including examples that have survived into preservation.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49738508730641,"sku":"NGR9781398104747","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51764634714385,"sku":"GOR012449326","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1398104744.jpg?v=1778148470"},{"product_id":"minibus-mania-book-malcolm-batten-9781398108820","title":"Minibus Mania","description":"A fascinating photographic account of the heyday of the minibus looks back at the rise and fall of the minibus in British bus services.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49738866819345,"sku":"NGR9781398108820","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":52849937547537,"sku":"GOR012224384","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1398108820.jpg?v=1777715601"},{"product_id":"buses-another-life-book-malcolm-batten-9781398107366","title":"Buses: Another Life","description":"What happens to old buses at the end of their career, when they are replaced by newer vehicles? Some inevitably go to scrap, especially if they have been cannibalised for spares. Some see further service with other bus companies. A few lucky ones pass directly into preservation. But many find further employment with so-called 'Non-PSV' users; some of these may continue to carry passengers, perhaps as works transport or for a community group. Some may be used for driver training. However, others will be converted to fulfil a whole variety of roles - catering or hospitality vehicles; advertising promotional vehicles; ambulances; mobile homes; playbuses; horseboxes; vehicle transporters, and more.This book looks at a variety of old buses and coaches and the varied roles they have fulfilled over the last fifty years.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49740293079313,"sku":"NGR9781398107366","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50730976903441,"sku":"GOR012237288","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1398107360.jpg?v=1778147147"},{"product_id":"epping-ongar-railway-book-malcolm-batten-9781398107847","title":"The Epping Ongar Railway","description":"The first standard gauge heritage steam railway in Britain, the Bluebell Railway, opened in 1960. Since then, over eighty have opened to the public. While each of these has its individual characteristics, nearly all are former British railways branch lines or parts of secondary routes, closed either under the Beeching axe or under subsequent cutbacks.  The six-mile-long Epping Ongar Railway is different and unique. Despite its location in rural Essex, this was not part of the British Rail network at closure but was an electrified section of the London Underground. Its rundown and closure was a protracted affair spanning twenty-five years. On closure it was earmarked to become a heritage line, but it would be another eighteen years before it re-opened in its current guise with steam and diesel traction.  This book tells its story up to the re-opening in 2012 and of the ten years of progress since then.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49740302745873,"sku":"NGR9781398107847","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49775446327569,"sku":"GOR012723217","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1398107840.jpg?v=1777714930"},{"product_id":"river-thames-dockland-heritage-london-bridge-to-greenwich-book-malcolm-batten-9781398108769","title":"River Thames Dockland Heritage: London Bridge to Greenwich","description":"London's docks were once the busiest in Britain. They had developed piecemeal from the beginning of the nineteenth century as the existing riverside wharves became too congested and pilfering became rife. 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Also included is the Regent's Canal, which took goods onwards into London and linked to the Midlands, and the sewer network that makes use of the Thames.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49741193740561,"sku":"NGR9781398108769","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51834034651409,"sku":"GOR012822515","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1398108766.jpg?v=1777714881"},{"product_id":"river-thames-dockland-heritage-greenwich-to-tilbury-and-gravesend-book-malcolm-batten-9781398108844","title":"River Thames Dockland Heritage: Greenwich to Tilbury and Gravesend","description":"London's docks were once the busiest in Britain. They had developed piecemeal from the beginning of the nineteenth century as the existing riverside wharves became too congested and pilfering became rife. 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