I was giving some thought to what are the key books which every entusiast should read (and - ideally - have a copy), given the thousands of books published on the subject.
My list follows (and I'll add more detailed comments later):
Gerard Fiennes - I Tried to Run a Railway - Classic 'insider' account of the railway from nationalisation to Beeching and modernisation
Peter Rayner - On and Off The Railway - A worthy successor, covering modernisation to privatisation
LTC Rolt - Red For Danger - Marvellous history of railway accidents which describes how the railway changed in response to said accidents. Another true classic.
Rocksborough Smith & St John Thomas - Summer Saturdays in the West - Describes the way the railways of the West Country dealt with seasonal traffic, with detailed accounts of particular Saturdays in 1957 and c.1971. A different world!
The Beeching Report. Millions have a view on it, but how many have read it? If you study it you might be surprised how it may change your perspective.
Colin Gifford - Each a Glimpse - If you want a book of interesting photographs of the late steam era, this is the one!
I'd add a footplate memoir to the list, but you'd probably want to choose one from your own favourite area.
Two obvious gaps: 1. A standard history of railway operating (does such a book exist?) 2. A standard history of railway engineering (civil and mechanical).
Discuss!
My list follows (and I'll add more detailed comments later):
Gerard Fiennes - I Tried to Run a Railway - Classic 'insider' account of the railway from nationalisation to Beeching and modernisation
Peter Rayner - On and Off The Railway - A worthy successor, covering modernisation to privatisation
LTC Rolt - Red For Danger - Marvellous history of railway accidents which describes how the railway changed in response to said accidents. Another true classic.
Rocksborough Smith & St John Thomas - Summer Saturdays in the West - Describes the way the railways of the West Country dealt with seasonal traffic, with detailed accounts of particular Saturdays in 1957 and c.1971. A different world!
The Beeching Report. Millions have a view on it, but how many have read it? If you study it you might be surprised how it may change your perspective.
Colin Gifford - Each a Glimpse - If you want a book of interesting photographs of the late steam era, this is the one!
I'd add a footplate memoir to the list, but you'd probably want to choose one from your own favourite area.
Two obvious gaps: 1. A standard history of railway operating (does such a book exist?) 2. A standard history of railway engineering (civil and mechanical).
Discuss!