In Bob Gregson’s monumental work on the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway around Preston (Atkinson Publications 2011/ 2012) he gave us an introduction to the railway complex at Lostock Hall, which included the engine shed, station, sidings etc. This work is dedicated to the men and locomotives of Lostock Hall and the role they played in the final days of steam traction on British Railways. Most of the photographs in this book have never been published before and he begins with images taken in pre-grouping and L.M.S. days. We then go through the nationalisation years with the changes in motive power and modifications to the infrastructure etc. Finally (and sadly) he depicts the decline of steam power and the twilight years right up to the closure of the depot to motive power in 1968. There are also glimpses of relevant locations such as Bamber Bridge station and sidings and Todd Lane Junction, which were part of the fascinating railway network to the south of Preston. Bob Gregson assures us that there will be more pictures in this book and less writing than in previous publications, and that slightly protracted captions will suffice. He has dedicated this book to the memory of Alan Castle, a long time friend and one of the truly great railway photographers.

 

This book is one of two which have been published to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of steam traction in 1968.

 

Paperback, 192 pages, A4 portrait, 181 colour images, 441 black & white images.

 

ISBN 978-1-909134-27-0

 

A quantity of these books have been donated to the Trust by the publishers.