British steam in cameracolour, 1962-68

Plot

To the railway enthusiast one of the more regrettable accidents of technical history is that working steam had largely disappeared before economic and dependable colour photography became a practical possibility for the average railway photographer. Robert Adley, whose work graces these pages, was not, however, an average railway photographer. He took a calculated risk with colour as early as 1962 and his bold decision to catalogue the declining years of steam operation on British Railways has borne fruit in this first volume. His patience in resisting the temptation to publish any of his photographs until they had 'matured' for ten years after the end of steam has been doubly rewarded by the great technical advances in colour printing from transparencies. achieved in the last few years.
This book is a reflection too of Robert Adley's mobility between 1962 and 1968. As a businessman he travelled widely and was able to visit many of the last strongholds of steam. As a Parliamentary Candidate in Birkenhead in 1965-'66 he spent considerable time in the north-west. whilst family connections in Somerset and Bristol enabled him to witness the end of the steam era in two favoured locations. LMS, LNER, GWR, SR and BR locomotives are thus are featured in splendid variety.
This book is a geographically balanced personal testimony to British Steam. and the author's knowledge of his subject is evidenced on every page. Blending urban and rural lineside shots with splendid shed scenes, the author's lively mind is amply reflected, both in an evocative introduction and through the informative yet stylish captions, which make this book a unique photographic autobiography and one which will appeal to steam railway enthusiasts of all ages.