Motor

A popular feature of our publishing programme for a number of years has been our facsimile reprints of selected titles from the famous Ian Allan Publishing abc series that first appeared in the 1940s. These modestly priced volumes are welcomed by both the enthusiasts who may have used them when they first came out and also by those not around at the time they were first published. They provide wonderful, nostalgic snapshots of a railway scene that has long since disappeared.The latest volume we have selected for reissue is abc British Railways Locomotives Combined Volume 1966. The Combined Volumes were in effect two books in one, abc British Railways Locomotives and the Locoshed Book. The abc lists all the locomotives and multiple units which were in service at that time, and the Locoshed book shows where they were allocated at the time the listings were compiled.By the time this abc appeared, steam was in full retreat across the country and had already officially ended on the Western Region on 31st December of the previous year. However, many steam locomotives were still on BR's the books in the other five regions and hundreds of new diesel and electric locos and multiple units were being delivered to ensure the final elimination of steam traction would occur in 1968.This mix of traction makes the year covered in this volume a particularly interesting one. As with all of these facsimile reprints, this volume provides a wonderful, nostalgic window on a railway scene which has long since disappeared and will be enjoyed by enthusiasts of both steam and modern traction.

This is a welcome reissue of the biography of one of the relatively few railwaymen in the age of steam who became what would now be described as a 'personality'. Bill Hoole was born in Liverpool and his first job was as a messenger in the Goods Department of the Midland Railway in the city. The fascination of steam locomotives soon cast its spell over him and he transferred to the Great Central at Walton-on-the-Hill-sheds. After service in the Great War he moved to London, passing out as a driver at Neasden in 1926 before moving to Kings Cross the following year.He finished his career as a top link driver on the East Coast Main Line based at Kings Cross. Driver Hoole's normal locomotive in British Railways days was the now preserved A4 Pacific No 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley, and it was with 'Number 7' that he achieved the official post war steam speed record of 112mph on 23 May 1959. His name became a household word among railway enthusiasts on the East Coast Route during the declining years of steam traction out of King's Cross. In his quiet unassuming way he always had time to answer every question, pose for every camera and help everyone who needed help.After his retirement from British Railways, Bill took to driving on the narrow-gauge Festiniog Railway in north Wales, where his cheerful personality made as much an impression on the visitors as it did on steam lovers during his main-line days. On his death in 1979, he was interred in the cemetery at Minffordd close to the Festiniog Railway, his gravestone bearing the title of his biography: Bill Hoole, Engineman Extraordinary.

Surveys World War II U.S. fighter prototypes from 1940-1946 that never entered production, showcasing innovative designs.During World War II, America's air arms fielded some superlative fighters such as the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, North American P-51 Mustang and Vought F4U Corsair. The large numbers of these excellent fighters produced by the US aircraft industry made a significant contribution to the eventual success of the Allies. However, even as the war was raging and the industry was working flat out to produce the huge numbers of aircraft required for front line duties, extensive research and development programmes were also being pursued to create the next generation of fighters. This book focuses on the aircraft generated by those programmes and provides a detailed survey of the fighter prototypes produced and flown during the period from 1940 to 1946, which, for various reasons, did not progress to production and service.The work has twenty-four chapters that embrace the great diversity of design and layout of these prototypes. They demonstrate the remarkable creative flair that was present in the US aircraft industry during the war. There are designs of all shapes, sizes and configurations powered by piston, jet and mixed power plants. The designs encompassed various configurations including pusher layouts, swept and flying wings. Each of these prototypes is given its own chapter.The book also reviews a selection of production fighter types that were kitted out for trials and used as test bed aircraft. A small number of unbuilt projects and studies are also included. The thoroughly researched text is complimented by a superb collection of photographs and illustrations.For all of those interested in World War Two US aviation and the aircraft produced in its aftermath, this book will be a revelation. Written by Tony Buttler, one of our most distinguished aviation writers, it will be a must read for all modellers and students of aviation history in this era.

Over four editions, the 'Formula 1 All the Races' series chronicled the captivating narrative of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship on a race-by-race basis. Now, as the race-count climbs to an astonishing 1,125 at the end of 2024, Formula 1's 75th season provides the perfect opportunity for a fifth edition, bringing the story right up to date.

GAZOO! The full story of Toyota's recent and highly-successful World Rally Championship campaign, undertaken by its motorsport subsidiary, Gazoo Racing. Using stunning photography sourced from the factory, the book covers every WRC entry made by Gazoo, and looks back at Toyota's early days in the sport.

The history of London's transport in the second half of the twentieth century from the novel perspective of the passengers' experience.

Garry Stroud documents hydraulic power and the changing scene on the Western Region during the 1970s and early to mid-1980s.

Celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the little blue engine!

Brunel made plenty of mistakes, some of them ruinously expensive. But he also designed and built several structures which are still with us to this day. For these we have to thank a man who was famously described as 'in love with the impossible'.

A fascinating insight through rare photographs into the aftermath of the horrific 1914 sinking - rescue, salvage and investigations

This book describes how the local changes to shipping since 2000 that have affected the River Mersey.

A unique book about these specialist Land Rover vehicles. This is an essential guide to a special range of Land Rover vehicles.

Pironi: The Champion that Never Was relates the remarkable story of motor racing's forgotten man, ex-Ferrari F1 driver and offshore powerboat racer, Didier Pironi. The book charts an incredible journey which took the young Parisian to the heights of triumph and the depths of despair. Before he joined the legendary Ferrari stable, Pironi was already a Formula Renault, Le Mans and grand prix winner. By 1982, the time had surely come for the enigmatic Frenchman to become his country's first Formula 1 world champion. He was to come tantalisingly close to achieving that lifetime ambition, ahead in the world championship and in pole position for the German Grand Prix - before crashing so disastrously in practice. Over the next five years he fought a long and painful battle to return to the cockpit to reclaim the title that had eluded him that grim morning. It was not to be. Thereafter Didier turned his attention to offshore powerboating where his remarkable life would come to a shattering end in the icy waters of the English Channel.

A fascinating, expertly researched illustrated history of the rise and fall of what were once some of north-east England's busiest freight lines.