British Railways Locomotives & Coaching Stock 2023

AUTHOR: Robert Pritchard PUBLISHER: Platform 5 Publishing ISBN: 978-1-90943-199-7 PRICE: £29.95 EMAIL: www.platform5.com

PLATFORM 5 Publishing produces various pocket guides for railway enthusiasts, but the Locomotive and Coaching Stock book really is an essential tool for anyone who likes spending time at the lineside or at the end of a station platform. Sub-titled ‘The Rolling Stock of Britain’s Main Line Railway Operators in 2023’ and compiled by Robert Pritchard, this is for anyone wanting an easy-to-use directory of the rolling stock currently registered to operate on Network Rail metals in the UK.

Featuring locomotives, coaching stock, DMUS, EMUS and on-track plant, the 2023 volume has been fully updated to the point at which it was dispatched for printing.

The text sections are broken up with four part containing colour photographs of some of the stock featured in the book – one showing

locomotives, another coaching stock, another for DMUS and on track plant, with the fourth covering EMUS.

Although it is A6 in size with a hardback cover, the 432 pages mean that this book is probably a little too bulky to be described as a pocketbook, but it certainly will fit neatly into a bag or larger coat pocket the next time you venture out to the railway.

Priced at £29.95, the amount of work that goes into its production each year means that it represents good value.

Keeping the information contained in the book updated and correct is a labour-intensive task, and the way the information is presented is neat and easy for cross-referencing.

Ian Allan used to be the go-to books for locomotive spotters and railway enthusiasts – Platform 5 has now more than adequately filled the gap once occupied by the ABC Guides. Recommended. (AMC)