Steam on the Western: The Final Decades

2010 | Transportation

Michael Baker, well known as a devotee of the GWR, has put together a stunning portfolio of images - predominantly mono but including colour for the later years - covering the final two decades of steam on the Great Western/Western Region from the final year of the GWR's independence in 1947 through to the final demise of main line steam in 1968. The photographs come from a number of sources - including many of the best-known photographers in the country (such as Brian Morrison, Pursey Short, Peter Treloar and the author himself) - and record the evolution of steam traction over the entire Western over this two-decade period. The book covers the story year-by-year with a textual introduction to each year. Apart from the photographs, the book also includes items of relevant ephemera such as tickets and posters. The photographs are carefully selected to include every part of the ex-GWR network and as wide a variety of motive power, including the BR Standard types and inter-regional workings, as possible.

Michael H.C. Baker (Author)