Publisher's Synopsis
The disappearance of steam from Britain's main-line railways marked the end of an era of British rail travel. Here Andrew Britton remembers the last steam main line from London, linking Waterloo to Weymouth via Basingstoke, Winchester, Southampton and Bournemouth, from its post-war presence right to the end of steam travel in 1967. This informative guide details the route, complete with gradient profiles and maps, as well as exploring the rich history of the line and the many features of interest and beauty to be seen from the carriage window. Andrew Britton's nostalgic and personal take on this much loved line evokes the sights and sounds of the steam era: historic engines, the stations they visited and the folk who worked them are brought to life in vivid detail. Enhanced by previously unpublished illustrations, as well as unique artefacts from the author's unparalleled collection, this is an edition no railway enthusiast or heritage traveller should be without.
