Steam Trains Today by Andrew Martin
'A delightful book ... the perfect companion as you wait for the 8.10 from Hove' Observer After the Beeching cuts of the 1960s, many railways were 'rationalised' and gradually shut down. Rural communities were isolated without ready access to the main lines and steam trains slowly gave way to diesel and electric traction. But some people were not prepared to let the romance of train travel die. Thanks to their efforts, many of these lines passed into community ownership and are now booming with new armies of dedicated volunteers. Andrew Martin goes out to meet these enthusiasts and find out just what it is about preserved railways which makes people so devoted. From the inspiration for Thomas the Tank Engine to John Betjeman's battle against encroaching modernity, Steam Trains Today is a wonderful journey across Britain from Aviemore to Epping.
Informative and witty * Cumbria Life *
Praise for Night Trains: A fine elegy.. Compelling ... witty and full of history and railway nuggets. -- Michael Binyon * Sunday Times *
You do not have to be a trainspotter to enjoy this book. It is social history, a kind of epitaph to a way of travel that seems to be lost, at least in Europe. -- Christian Wolmar * Spectator *
A delightful book ... Even if you're not into the detail of rail gauges, this book is the perfect companion as you wait for the 8.10 from Hove. -- Nigel Jones * Observer *
This is one for railway novices and enthusiasts alike. -- Hannah Solel * Financial Times *
Excellent ... Mr Martin paints a vivid picture of this world on rails ... he proves a witty companion who wears his knowledge lightly -- Michael Murray-Fennell * Country Life *
Praise for Underground, Overground: 'Martin's knowledge is both encyclopaedic and full of quirky digressions, based on everyday observation. * Evening Standard *
A jaunty history ... studded with little observational gems ... he can ... stop you in your tracks with a well-turned phrase * Sunday Times *
Praise for Belles & Whistles: Martin is entertaining company, alive to the history of his route ... leaves you with renewed confidence that trains can still be the most civilised way to travel. * Financial Times *
His wonderfully well-informed, anecdotal prose punches more than just tickets * the Times *
Praise for Night Trains: A fine elegy.. Compelling ... witty and full of history and railway nuggets. -- Michael Binyon * Sunday Times *
You do not have to be a trainspotter to enjoy this book. It is social history, a kind of epitaph to a way of travel that seems to be lost, at least in Europe. -- Christian Wolmar * Spectator *
A delightful book ... Even if you're not into the detail of rail gauges, this book is the perfect companion as you wait for the 8.10 from Hove. -- Nigel Jones * Observer *
This is one for railway novices and enthusiasts alike. -- Hannah Solel * Financial Times *
Excellent ... Mr Martin paints a vivid picture of this world on rails ... he proves a witty companion who wears his knowledge lightly -- Michael Murray-Fennell * Country Life *
Praise for Underground, Overground: 'Martin's knowledge is both encyclopaedic and full of quirky digressions, based on everyday observation. * Evening Standard *
A jaunty history ... studded with little observational gems ... he can ... stop you in your tracks with a well-turned phrase * Sunday Times *
Praise for Belles & Whistles: Martin is entertaining company, alive to the history of his route ... leaves you with renewed confidence that trains can still be the most civilised way to travel. * Financial Times *
His wonderfully well-informed, anecdotal prose punches more than just tickets * the Times *
Andrew Martin is a prolific author of fiction and non-fiction, and his books often have a railway theme. His previous non-fiction railway titles for Profile are Underground Overground, Belles & Whistles and Night Trains. He is also the author of Seats of London, a guide to seat moquettes on London transport. His fiction includes a series of historical crime novels set on the railways in the early 20th Century and featuring the railway policeman, Jim Stringer. The tenth book in this series, Powder Smoke, will be published in 2021. Martin's latest stand-alone novel is The Winker.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781788161442 |
| ISBN 10 | 1788161440 |
| Title | Steam Trains Today |
| Author | Andrew Martin |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Profile Books Ltd |
| Year published | 2021-04-29 |
| Number of pages | 384 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |