Böcker av Bob Pixton

British railways evolved through wars and state control, facing innovations like diesel engines and challenges from road transport amid financial struggles.When King George V ascended to the throne in 1910, world trade was increasing and at home the country's private enterprise railways were booming with larger trains and more freight being carried than ever before. Over the next fifty years the country had experienced not one, but two world wars. Railways had been forcefully reorganized, not once but twice, eventually becoming state owned. With the Government now in control of the railway's finances, reformation was on the horizon in the medicine of Dr. Beeching.This volume sets out to chart the passage of the railways during these turbulent times.Contrary to popular belief, life on the railways during these times was not all doom and gloom but times of innovation, competition, new buildings, new lines and the spread of electrification. This was the era of faster, larger, non-stop expresses, streamlined trains: we even showcased our best trains abroad, not once but twice!More and more people were taking holidays by trains and holiday camps emerged. Challenging the position of steam engines were new diesel locomotives. The Festival of Britain (1951) and the Coronation of Elizabeth (1953) saw the country emerge from the devastation and crippling debt after World War 2. On the horizon were devastating rivals that wounded the previously unassailable position of steam trains: motor lorries and family cars.With looming unsustainable finances, the Government solicited external help to help sort out matters.

Joint Operations Around Manchester and in South Yorkshire, is the latest volume in a series of books by Robert Pixton, covering the lines across the Pennines, especially those of the former Great Central.

A volume of a new and exciting series illustrating one of the country's best loved railway companies in the days of steam.

This book illustrates one of the country's best loved railway companies in the days of steam.

Author Bob Pixton brings readers the latest in his successful series of railway titles, outlining the Cheshire Railway Lines. The reader is taken along an imaginary journey from west to east, stopping at all the stations and other important railway features along the line. While the main focus of the book is the route between the two towns, the traffic and the connections generating it are explored as they arise along the journey.Long before today''s road-dominated freight transport service, there was a line that bypassed the city of Manchester, to the south. This route connected the Manchester Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway (later the Great Central Railway) from Sheffield with the Cheshire Lines route between Manchester and Liverpool. On its way, it connected with almost every other line in the district to create a vital artery for goods traffic. Much of the coal finding its way to south Lancashire and the docks at Liverpool passed along this line from the pits of Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Goods from the docks also used the line to reach the conurbations east of the Pennines, and of course, every loaded coal and goods wagon produced an empty one to be returned for refilling. Certain sections of the route were amongst the most intensively worked freight lines in the country. This new title aims to provide interesting social history told through a range of various photographs allied to informative and descriptive text. This book will appeal to both those interested in the local area as well as general rail enthusiasts worldwide. A great addition to any rail or local history enthusiast''s collection!