50 Not Out
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€19.99
How many times have we heard the phrase ‘they don’t make them like they used to’?
Whatever the merits or otherwise of applying such a comment to UK railway locomotives, the fact remains that there are many longstanding survivors from our railway past. Of course, we all know of the role played by preserved railways in the UK; they have secured a place in history for heritage diesel and electric locos as well as many steam examples.
But a number of ageing locomotive classes still remain on rail operators’ books. Many are over half a century old. A quick tally suggests at least fourteen classes and, more importantly, between 100 and 200 individual examples remain on the network. They continue to attract more than their fair share of interest, particularly among the nostalgia enthusiast market. Yes, some are sidelined but many still see day-to-day service in the hands of mainstream operators.
These locos are ‘50 not out’, and the level of variety is perhaps surprising. This book celebrates some of those that have passed their half century and continue to work passenger or freight services.
John Jackson, a lifelong transport enthusiast, opted for early retirement at the turn of the Millennium – and swapped the rat race for the rail tracks. Since then, he has travelled extensively on the British rail network with his camera as a constant companion. He continues to compile a photographic collection reflecting the UK rail industry that already extends to tens of thousands of images. He also has an interest in the history of his local county of Bedfordshire and John and his wife Jenny, together with their trusty cameras, have spent hundreds of hours meandering around their home county visiting each one of the parishes in the county, recording the churches.