Portraits of Western 4-6-0s
Portraits of 'Western' 4-6-0s, completes a trilogy of steam railway lore by Bryan Holden and Kenneth Leech, started by Portraits of `Kings' and Portraits of 'Castles'. Brought together again by popular demand, once more they have collaborated to produce a distinctive work of widespread interest. Not merely a collection of locomotive photographs, but an assembly in one volume of the eight classes of Great Western 4-6-Os, some in action locations, but mostly interesting and historical shed and station viewpoints, with a sprinkling of vintage footplate 'character' studies. An important aspect is that engine modifications are shown, enabling the model-maker to be accurate in terms of date and authentication in his work, emphasising that loco-motives did change over their years of service, albeit to a minor degree that was not immediately obvious to the uninitiated. In this aspect alone, this book is a valuable contribution to railway literature. Once again, too, we have the result of Kenneth Leech's considerable expertise and unbounded enthusiasm for photographing steam locomotion at every opportunity, a hobby which made him well-known and respected by men of the footplate with whom he made innumerable journeys, not as a bystander, but regularly taking turns at driving and firing; a truly remarkable achievement. By contrast, Bryan Holden admits to being a layman, but as in the earlier Portraits, his lifelong interest and enthusiasm for steam locomotives (particularly Great Western) and factual research and accumulation of historical data make the book an essential addition to the steam enthusiast's bookshelf.
Hardback with dust jacket, 128 pages, colour photographs
Condition: Good/Very Good
ISBN: 9780861900756
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