Modeller’s Bookshelf
A selection of titles that have kept Model Rail’s editor occupied recently.
From Buxton in the north to Northampton in the south, this book presents an engaging mix of colour photographs of the East Midlands railway scene during the 1965‑1985 period. Blue and green diesels predominate, but the tail end of steam is also covered. The text provides plenty of useful information and there are some priceless images, from the dilapidated timber buildings at Pear Tree station, to the derelict brick‑built John O’ Gaunt station on the former GN/LNWR joint line to Melton Mowbray, while many other locations provide endless inspiration for modellers. Book: Railways of the East
Midlands, by John Evans (Amberley)
Price: £15.99 Web: www.amberley-books.com
When BR introduced its bright new livery in the mid‑1960s, it was meant to herald the dawn of a modernised railway. Until recently, the Rail blue era had been dismissed as boring until a resurgence in interest brought about a reappraisal of the period. This attractive collection of colour images, from numerous photo‑ graphers, provides a useful insight into the UK rail scene from the late 1960s to the late ‘80s, supported by informative captions. Engaging and nostalgic, there’s a wonderful variety of traction to be seen on passenger, parcels, freight and engineers’ workings, with excellent regional coverage too. Book: The Era of Rail Blue, by Mark Jamieson (Amberley)
Price: £15.99 Web: www.amberley-books.com
This book will appeal to fans of urban transit systems and London’s transport network in general. Written by a former planning engineer involved with the development of the Docklands Light Railway, Jubilee Line extension and Crossrail/elizabeth Line, each project is discussed at length, in terms of planning and construction. There’s also plenty of historical background regarding existing infrastruc‑ ture and the machinations involved in regenerating London’s docklands. A fore‑ word by former Secretary of State Lord Heseltine lends the book extra credibility. Book: The Railways of London
Docklands, by Jonathan Willis (Pen & Sword)
Price: £30.00 Web: www.pen-andsword.co.uk
Virgin Trains (VT) dominated the West Coast Main Line route from 1996 to 2019 and Crosscountry services until 2007. I don’t harbour many fond memories of VT, save for the older traction types used in the early years. This book presents a tribute to VT across the West Coast, Crosscountry and the ill‑fated East Coast franchises. HSTS, ‘47s’, ‘57s’, various AC electrics abound, plus ‘Pendolinos’ and ‘Voyagers. The scruffy Class 158s on Manchester Airport services aren’t overlooked. Image quality is inconsistent, but the book contains plenty of information on trains and operations. Book: Virgin Trains, a Pictorial Tribute, by Fred Kerr (Amberley) Price: £25.00 Web: www.pen-andsword.co.uk