WESTERN STEAM

IF YOU are a fan of big photographs and large text, this calendar produced by STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway may appeal to you. Folding out to a pair of pages that are slightly larger than A4 and bound with wire, there is no shortage of space to write on each date. Under the theme of ‘Western Steam’, the calendar features 13 images of locomotives in action. Informative captions accompany each image. The cross-section of GWR steam motive power ranges from a Vale of Rheidol 2-6-2T to a ‘King’ 4-6-0. Railways featured include Avon Valley, Bodmin & Wenford, Dartmouth, Gloucestershire Warwickshire, Great Central, Llangollen, Rheidol, Severn Valley, South Devon and West Somerset – plus the main line. All images are exclusive to STEAM Museum, courtesy of railway photographer, Richard Bell. The text for the number boxes is large and clear to read. A helpful feature is that the two pages between the cover and first month provide space for the user to write birthdays and anniversaries – and there is also a list of holidays and festivals for the year ahead, in addition to a 2024 calendar. Another useful touch is the inclusion of the month preceding and following respectively in two small boxes on each month. Overall, it is welldesigned, user-friendly and pleasing on the eye. www.steam-museum.org.uk Or telephone 01793 466626. £8