Terminal Blue Volume Two King’s Cross 1977-1985

AUTHOR: Ted Reading PUBLISHER: under my stairs books ISBN: -

PRICE: £8.50 inc p&p

ORDER: irisandtedreading@ gmail.com or tel 01460 63904

FOLLOWING ON from his two earlier outstanding works the author has moved further east to take in King’s Cross. The period in question is from 1977 until 1985, although the final short chapter also covers the 1990s. Given the station is currently undergoing its greatest shake up in more than 40 years, with the reopening of the third bore of Gasworks Tunnel, the timing of this publication is spot on. As someone who remembers the ‘Cross’ from the late 1960s, it makes for fascinating reading as I can particularly remember the arrival of the wires in 1977 and the elimination of the rattly Cravens DMUs by Classes 312 and 313 EMUs. The old diesel servicing point features heavily, as do Deltics (obviously) and the book does a wonderful job telling the transitional story of the periods in question, notably the arrival of the HSTs and the phase out of the Class 55s.

Some wonderful photos of the surrounding area are also included, notably the York Road platform and the old western side suburban platforms and also of the ‘railwaylands’ just to the north of the station, including the various yards and sidings, all now lost to redevelopment. There is a chapter on Belle Isle and Finsbury Park to complete the picture. Although it concentrates on a relatively short period of time, the changes underway were huge and the book really does the story justice. Fascinating, informative and an absolute must for ER/Deltic fans, this is a book that is very easily recommended. (MN)