By the turn of the 1960s, steam traction on Britain's railways was within its last decade and for a group of young enthusiasts living in Carlisle, there was always the urge to travel to other parts of the country to photograph steam locomotives, which in most cases would never have appeared in there own locality.
Visits to certain parts of Scotland, the North East of England and parts of Lancashire, could be achieved in a day, using a day return ticket. More distant parts of Britain would require more planning usually using an all line rail rover ticket, these visits and trips could be done on an individual basis or with a group of like minded friends, or even with a railway club or society. The benefits of visits with railway society's or clubs, were that such organisations could arrange group shed permits, where as individuals had to arrange such things by themselves.
As the 1960s progressed time started to run out for the photographer to capture the last embers of steam across the country and things became ever more urgent, with the end in sight. This book depicts visits to many locations undertaken during this period when time was running out for steam traction.
Author Howard Routledge travelled around the regions of the UK during the final years of steam and in On Tour for Steam presents a selection of photographs taken during his travels. Photographs are arranged in chapters, with each image being accompanied by a caption. Hardback. 112 pages.