The Last Days Of Steam On The Southern

London and South Western

Plot

In his new book, Alan Postlethwaite takes a photographic journey around the old LSWR during 1957-64, when most of the services were still steam-operated. A vast range of locomotive types is recorded, from tiny Victorian tank engines to the austere might of BR standard designs, working alongside 'King Arthurs', 'Lord Nelsons' and Bulleid Pacifics of SR vintage and an interesting influx of 'foreigners' from the GWR and LMS. Carriages are also seen to span some half century of railway history. Here is not only a valuable historic and technical record of the London and South Western lines, but also an evocative picture of the character of the railway, its trains and people during the final steam decade. Powerful boat trains and holiday expresses contrast with country branch lines whose curves and grades could accept only the lightest of trains. Freight traffic too is covered, ranging from London milk expresses to pick-up goods and china clay locals.