The Deltics & Baby Deltics

AUTHOR: Andrew Fowler

PUBLISHER: Pen and Sword Books

ISBN: 978-1-47383-391-3

PRICE: £25

WEBSITE: www.pen-and-sword. co.uk

FORMER RAILWAYS Illustrated contributor Andrew Fowler is a well-known photographer and writer who always writes in an interesting and entertaining style. He is perhaps better well-known for his enthusiasm for steam traction, but this book focuses on two diesel locomotive classes – one which was incredibly popular and successful, and the other less so! The book starts with a background to the development of main line diesel traction on the British Railways network, building up to the introduction of the prototype locomotive Deltic.

Then, attention turns to the development of the 10 Baby Deltic locomotives, which ultimately proved to not be a successful design for BR and were all withdrawn after a relatively short working life.

The section of the book on the Baby Deltics concludes with a look at the work of the Baby Deltic Project, which is working on the recreation of a Baby Deltic at Barrow Hill Roundhouse.

The vast majority of the book is dedicated to the 22 production Class 55 Deltics and while the text gives a good account of the history of the locomotives, there is also an excellent selection of photos of the locomotives throughout their working lives on BR. I particularly enjoyed the second half of the book, which chronicles the history of each of the production Deltics in more detail, highlighting notable events and occasions from the point at which the locomotives were delivered to BR and accepted into traffic, through to their final workings and disposals.

Those examples that found salvation in preservation also include a history on notable events that have taken place during the time they have been in private ownership.

The hardback book features

197 pages on good quality paper, with a wide variety of colour and monochrome images, which are generally reproduced to a very good standard. It is priced at £25, which I believe represents good value for money.

The cover sleeve features an image of a very grimy 55010 following withdrawal at Doncaster Works, during BR’S hastilyorganised Deltic Farewell event in February 1982 – an unusual choice for the cover, perhaps, but it is a powerful photograph that shows the power and elegance of these locomotives.

Overall this is an excellent book that will be a welcome addition to the bookshelves of any modern traction enthusiast.

I had high hopes when this book landed on my desk – and I wasn’t disappointed.

The only thing that could have possibly improved it would have been a slightly more in-depth study of the Baby Deltic locomotives. Highly recommended.

(AMC)