Books on Train Mechanics etc

[baldieman]

Hi folks,

As a wannabe driver, I am keen to get a book or two on how trains work, mechanics of, and signalling... if any are in circulation - can anyone recommend anything in particular? What I am looking for is an all over view of how the rail network functions and how trains work, basically.

Aside from that, is there a decent website that contains any/all of the above info too?

Many thanks,

Baldieman.

 

[Dieseldriver]

Type British railway signalling into amazon and see what crops up. Also there is a website called 'Railway technical' that has quite a bit of info on various on board train systems such as brakes etc which is very good and easy to understand.

 

[Nym]

I would have pointed you at the IMechE Bookstore, but it's now closed down, the IET has some titles, but they are rather limited, expensive and very specialist.

Like Dieseldriver said, amazon...

 

[andyfrommk]

For a free resource have a look at www.railway-technical.com

Doh! just read Dieseldrivers post,

 

[34D]

Not quite what you are asking, but I have a couple of excellent books by Stanley Hall about railway accidents - gripping reading.

 

[Dieseldriver]

The best way to learn rules by far IMO is to supplement the course by researching past incidents. Really explains why certain rules are there and why the contents of the rule book are so important.

 

[michael769]

I would recommend a look through the RAIB's archive http://www.raib.gov.uk/publications/investigation_reports.cfm.

The reports go into a lot of technical detail and also describe normal working practices in a quite understandable manner, and can be a quite illuminating view into how the modern railway works.

 

[baldieman]

Many thanks for the replies folks - particularly like the railway-technical website! Will take a while to digest all the info contained on that site!

Kind regards,

Baldieman.