Chasing Trains Volume 3 – Making Tracks
AT FIRST glance this appears a strange book, containing quite a mishmash of subjects for no apparent reason. However, it is the third in a series based upon the experiences and interests of the author. I’m at a disadvantage by not having seen the earlier two volumes, so I can only review the one to hand. That said, the author has done a splendid job in presenting the contents, which cover Class 37s, semaphore signals, new track (to the author and not the network) and Swindon. The chapter on Class 37s is included to mark the Type 3’s 60th anniversary in 2020. The Farewell to Arms chapter concentrates on the demise of semaphores at Barnetby and the South Humberside area and includes before and after images of the area’s signalling. The New Track section takes in new track not previously travelled by the author and is extensive, covering lines right across the UK. Next up is Swindon, with images both beneath and away from the wired sections, proving that you can take good shots despite the mass of overhead ‘knitting’.
The book might be unconventional in its format, but the author’s photos are excellent and each section is fascinating in its own right. It might be a bit different but it is well worth considering as a purchase, especially if you already have the first two volumes. (MN)