The Steam Workshops of the Great Western Railway

Author: Ken Gibbs
Publisher: The History Press
ISBN: 0750962399
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 247

Book Description
The nineteenth century was a time of innovation and expansion across the industrial landscape, and nowhere more so than on the railways, as the new age of iron, steel and steam, literally, gathered pace. At the head of the race up was the iconic Great Western Railway. As this mighty corporation grew, it absorbed an astonishing 353 railway companies. Many of them had their own workshops, depots and manufacturing, often assembling locomotives to the designs of other companies. All these, along with the various designs, became the responsibility of the GWR on takeover, and followed its standardisation of components where this was possible. These works became the beating heart of the GWR's vast empire, where majestic engines were built and maintained by some of the most skillful and inventive engineers of the day. Retired GWR railwayman Ken Gibbs presents a comprehensive portrait of the works from Brunel to the final days of steam in the mid-twentieth century, and beyond to the rediscovery and renovation of many of the workshops for their unique heritage.

The Steam Rail Motors of the Great Western Railway

Author: Ken Gibbs
Publisher: The History Press
ISBN: 0750965959
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 183

Book Description
Self-propelled carriages were a major innovation at the beginning of the twentieth century, and the GWR was quick to develop a large number of steam motor cars to link farms and scattered villages across the South West to the new branch lines. Their steam motor cars ran from 1903 to 1935, stopping during the war, and were so effective at making rural areas accessible they became victims of their own success. Wagons brought in to meet the high demand proved too heavy for the carriages and they struggled on hills. Soon the steam rail motor services were in decline. After its cancellation all ninety-nine steam carriages were eventually scrapped. Engineer Ken Gibbs reveals the unique GWR carriages, a window into early twentieth-century transport, and the modern replica he helped build, now the only way of viewing these charming historic vehicles.

Great Western Railway Pannier Tanks

Author: Robin Jones
Publisher: Crowood
ISBN: 1847976549
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 321

Book Description
The name 'Great Western Railway' immediately conjures up images of Stars, Castles and Kings, the legendary express passenger locomotives that were the envy of the world in their day. However, the Swindon empire also produced extensive fleets of all-purpose tank engines - everyday reliable workhorses and unsung heroes - which were standout classics in their own right. The most distinctive and immediately recognizable type in terms of shape, all but unique to the GWR, was the six-coupled pannier tank. With hundreds of photographs throughout, Great Western Railway Pannier Tanks covers the supremely innovative pannier tank designs of GWR chief mechanical engineer Charles Benjamin Collett, the appearance of the 5700 class in 1929, and the 5400, 6400, 7400 and 9400 classes. Also, the demise of the panniers in British Railways service and the 5700s that marked the end of Western Region steam, followed by a second life beneath the streets - 5700 class panniers on London Underground. Also covers Panniers in preservation, plus cinema and TV roles and even a Royal Train duty. Superbly illustrated with 260 colour and black & white photographs.

A History of the Great Western Railway

Author: Colin Maggs
Publisher: Amberley Publishing Limited
ISBN: 144561300X
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 449

Book Description
A narrative history of the most iconic railway company of the great age of steam.

Railway News, Finance and Joint-stock Companies' Journal

Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Finance
Languages : en
Pages : 680

Book Description

Steam Australia

Author: Tim Fischer
Publisher: National Library of Australia
ISBN: 0642279292
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 268

Book Description
In 'Steam Australia', Tim Fischer takes readers into the fascinating story of steam transportation over ten vital decades of transformation in Australia's history. The book also covers the great named express trains hauled by steam locomotives over the decades, such as 'Puffing Billy', Robert Gordon Menzies or 'The Ghan'. Special topics feature things such as Albury's 'break of gauge' platform (where two state track systems met), the Amiens branch line (running through Pozieres and Passchendaele stations in Queensland), some important characters such as C.Y. O'Connor and many more. The book is illustrated with over 300 exciting images from the superb National Library John Buckland collection of photography, many never seen before. Steam locomotives continue to operate as a key part of rail heritage tourism in Australia, demonstrating the ongoing legacy of these engines. The great age of steam in Australia and Fischer's salute to steam locomotion and all that it has achieved for this country is fascinating and captivating to both train novices and enthusiasts alike.

Factories and Workshops

Author: Great Britain. HM Factory Inspectorate
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Factory inspection
Languages : en
Pages : 1220

Book Description

Official Illustrated Guide to the Great Western Railway

Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Great Britain
Languages : en
Pages : 568

Book Description

Classic British Steam Locos

Author: compiled from Wikipedia entries and published byby DrGoogelberg
Publisher: Lulu.com
ISBN: 1291079734
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 570

Book Description
do you want to know everything on steam locos, how they work? Read about the technology and lots of steam locos like the flying Scotsman. Compiled from Wikipedia pages and published by dr Googelberg.

Swindon Works: The Legend

Author: Rosa Matheson
Publisher: The History Press
ISBN: 0750968869
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 142

Book Description
The age of steam is past, the heyday of Swindon Works is long gone – but the legend lives on. What made the Great Western Railway's Swindon Works iconic? Was it its worldwide reputation; perhaps its profound impact in shaping the new town of Swindon; or that it melded those who worked there into one big family? In a new and exciting format, this book, by popular railway historian Rosa Matheson, helps explain why the never-ending love story endures. With big facts and fascinating stories, it is a must read not only for ex-Works employees and their families, nor just for GWR fans and railway enthusiasts, but also for any newcomer seeking to find a good way into railway history.