Transport industries.

From their virtual demise in the years immediately following railway nationalisation in 1948, the last quarter of the 20th century saw private-owned wagons stage a comeback to play a vital role in the resurgence of rail-borne freight in Britain. David Ratcliffe takes readers on a journey through the private owner wagon era.

Rails Across Britain is a collection of full-size colour photographs of trains that have operated in Great Britain over the last thirty years. Compiled by a well-regarded author of several successfully published books showing many varying classes of trains throughout the world, this book covers the period from 1986 to the present day. It brilliantly illustrates the various classes and the huge myriad of colour schemes that have been used throughout the years, from the great days of the British Rail to the era of Privatisation. The contrast between the cash-strapped British Rail from an almost universal blue and grey colour scheme, to the well-funded privatised multi-coloured system seen today, is well portrayed in this comprehensive album, in which more than one photo of a class is shown.This selection of photographs have been specifically chosen to demonstrate an undeniably wide range of locations from Fort William in Scotland to St Austell in Cornwall, and, of course, in a variety of British weather conditions. The emphasis is, therefore, on the beauty of the train in its surroundings.

The genesis of 25kv overhead electrification began in the late 1960s on the West Coast Main Line, the 1980s for the East Anglian Main Line, and the East Coast Main Line in the late 1980s. Development took place in stages culminating in fully electrified lines from London to Scotland on both East and West Coast lines, and from London to Norwich. The introduction of these lines required the construction of new motive power.Initially five types were produced for the WCML, from which the second phase of loco design was developed, giving a higher level of reliability, as well as power output. These newer designs were applied to the Anglian services, but the ECML plans required an updated design, ostensibly for mixed traffic, but hardly ever used on anything other than express passenger services, for which their 140mph potential enabled a major recast of the timetable. The opening of the Channel Tunnel required a mixed traffic dual voltage locomotive, running on both 25kv and the Southern Region 750v third rail DC.The locomotives are classified between 81 and 92 inclusive, and this book of photographs by David Cable covers all the classes in a variety of locations and duties.

This photographic album portrays the four classes of locomotives introduced to operate on the British Railways system, prior to Privatization in 1994.Increasing loads and deteriorating reliability of older classes necessitated the design of new, higher horsepower classes of diesel locomotives to operate the increasing requirement to operate trains handling loads in bulk, such as coal, minerals, fuels etc.The four classes included one American design the class 59 which set new standards in haulage capacity and reliability. The other three designs classes 56, 58 and 60 were more suitable to their tasks than previous models, but in the case of the class 56, suffered a poor reputation for availability for several years, although the few remaining members of the class have now attained acceptable standards.Of the four classes, a small number of class 56s operate in private ownership, all the class 58s have been withdrawn, but all the class 59s and 60s are in daily use throughout England and Wales.This album has been written by David Cable, author of a series of illustrated books covering railways in the UK as well as overseas. The book shows examples of all four classes working a variety of duties at a wide range of locations.

Post Privatisation Diesels and Electrics is an album of photographs taken by David Cable, a well-regarded author of several books covering trains throughout much of the world.This book looks at the types of locomotives and multiple units that have been introduced into the UK since 1994, when the government privatized British Rail into a series of privately operated franchises. An incredible forty-one classes have been, or are shortly to be introduced, the majority being passenger units. The book shows these classes in a variety of colour schemes adopted by the franchisees.Photographs, in the main, are taken in the South East of England, which is where the great majority of these new trains operate, with the surroundings being given as much prominence as possible.

This scenic photographic tour offers “an interesting snapshot of Canadian railroading” (Continental Modeller). The origins of Canada’s railways lie largely in the British Empire, and its two major networks, the Canadian National and the Canadian Pacific, operate across the whole of the country. In addition to rail operation, the Canadian Pacific has owned and operated a sizable fleet of cargo and passenger ships between Canada and Europe. Canada has also had some smaller operators running services in odd corners of the country, like the Prince Edward Island Railway and the Newfoundland Railway. David Cable has journeyed across Canada, extensively photographing the network of both the large and small operators, often recording scenes in the most obscure locations. This richly illustrated book captures his travels and the impressive trains that connect people and goods all over the country.