Arguably the most distinctive steam locomotive design of the 20th century, Sir Nigel Gresley’s A4 Class was turning heads from its debut in 1935 though to the demise of the final examples in 1966. For such a superbly conceived machine thirty-one years might seem a relatively short life, and indeed it was, but steam had become outmoded, and yet they continued to work express passenger workings until the very end.
In Celebrating the A4s the focus is mainly on the BR period and the Transport Treasury are pleased to showcase examples of every member of the class in British Railways days, as well as a selection from earlier times. One member of the class made a lasting impression on the compiler of this work, Hector Maxwell, and more than half a century later that story may also be recounted for the first time. A chronology of the A4 Class, compiled in build date order, accompanies a fascinating selection of black & white photographs, and each image is accompanied by an informative caption.
Hardback. 108 black & white photographs. 80 pages.