Despite its bias towards electric traction, it was clear that not all SR routes would be converted to the third rail and that there would be a role for diesel traction as steam was phased out. Apart from the ubiquitous diesel shunters, the Southern Region played host to some of the pioneering diesel-electric classes as well as being the base for the locomotives of Class 33. Alongside these were the unique electro-diesels of Classes 73 and 74. In addition to the SR-based locomotives, which included examples from Classes 24 and 27 in the early days, the region also played host to a range of other diesel locomotives, such as the Western Region diesel-hydraulics, on inter-regional services. Following the end of steam traction on the SR, the WR ’Warships’ were used on main line services from Waterloo to the west.
This book offers an excellent and varied collection of colour images, most of which are previously unpublished, recording the early years of diesel traction on the Southern Region. Illustrated alongside the SR-based locomotives are the region’s distinctive fleet of DEMUs, the final examples of which have only recently been withdrawn, and locomotives operating on inter-regional services, such as ‘Warships’ and ‘Peaks’. Drawn from the collections of many of the country’s foremost railway photographers, the book portrays the great variety of diesel traction visible on SR metals in the years up to 1970.
Author: Michael Welch
Format: HB 80 pages
Publisher: Ian Allan Ltd
Pub date: April 2006
ISBN 10: 0711031118
ISBN 13: 9780711031111
List Price: £14.99
