Steam Trains Today

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.

Préface
A delightfully warm exploration of a very British obsession

Auteur
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.

Texte du rabat

The train lines which were passed into community ownership and volunteer staffing following the Beeching cuts of the 1960s are taken affectionate stock of as a spectacle of quirky obsession and personal dedication.

Résumé
A delightfully warm exploration of a very British obsession.