Terminal Blue Volume Four St Pancras 1977-1986

AUTHOR: Ted Reading

PUBLISHER: Under My Stairs Books

PRICE: £10

CONTACT EMAIL: irisandtedreading@gmail.com.

TELEPHONE: 01460 63904

THE LATEST self-published book produced by Ted Reading from Under My Stairs covers the area in and around London St Pancras in the days before most of the station was transformed beneath the famous Barlow trainshed into the Eurostar terminal. Set in the post-steam period, covering a decade from 1977 through to 1986, the book looks at the traction and atmosphere of this historic station, with plenty of ‘Peaks’, HSTS, DMUS, and all the traction variety you would expect. Photos of station paraphernalia, such as mailsacks and ‘brutes’, also sets the scene.

The A5 softback book takes the reader back to an era that many wish we could return to, when BR blue locomotives and blue and grey coaches were the norm. With black-and-white photography throughout, the images chosen give a realism to the railway as it was at the time, when the rail network was slightly grubby and down-at-heel, yet so atmospheric and photogenic. Priced at just £10, inclusive of postage and packing available directly from the author, the latest Terminal Blue volume is an enjoyable read, showing St Pancras in the period before it became famous for its 21st century refurbishment.

Having also reviewed Mr

Reading’s last volume covering Liverpool Street, these little books are an enjoyable bit of escapism and nostalgia. In my view, the Terminal Blue book series are worth every penny. Recommended.

(AMC)