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NSW and Australian
Railways, Books & Links, DVD ratings plus recommended
books, rail articles and photographers.
ABOVE:
A view looking southwest towards
Central Railway Station across Belmore
Park, Sydney, in 1926. In the foreground can be
seen the approaches to the City underground
railway,
then still under construction. Six
tracks would eventually pass under the catenary
masts and enter tunnels a couple of hundred yards
or metres to the lower right.
The imposing
building to the right is the Tivoli Theatre,
destroyed in the late 1960s and replaced by
Central Square.
BELOW: Below is another view of
Central Station from the entry throat, 1910. Author's Sydney
Mail collection.
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This page
is dedicated to:
JOHN REEVES (dcd.
2005), president of the NSW RTM when I first
joined that organisation back in the early
1970s.
John was a president without peer. I hope
present and future members of the RTM remember
his contribution, and
JIM POWE (dcd. 2009); who
provided me with many hours of enjoyment via his
movies of NSW steam at early RTM meetings.
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CLASSIC 20th Century
AUSTRALIAN RAILWAY BOOKS
Prior to the 1970s there were few hardbacks available on
Australian railways. The Australian Book of Trains by J H and W D Martin was published by
Angus & Robertson in 1947. Its red cloth cover
featured an embossed 3805, with the title picked out in
gilt. Round-top-boilered 3669 could be found on the
coloured frontispiece, emerging from a tunnel. The dust
jacket (which I lack) featured the Melbourne Express,
according to the index. Five further colour plates
appeared within the 248 pages with many b/w plates as
well. The thirty six chapters included The Spirit of
Protest, The Zigzag Railway, The Railway Ambulance Corps and
Over the Mountains among the headings.
The NSW
Government Railways brought out The Railways of New
South Wales and A Century of
Locomotives to
celebrate the centenary in 1955. The former comprised
over 300 pages with numerous colour plates, b/w plates
and maps, the latter, 128 pages with many b/w plates.
Nine year later in
1964, Angus and Robertson published Railways of
Australia, the first
really authoritative history on the subject. This was
authored by C C Singleton and David Burke. It contained
120 pages, some colour but mostly b/w plates, plus a
highly detailed map of the continent's rail systems. A
year earlier the Australian Electric Traction Association
had published the 138 page First Stop Central by David Keenan and Howard
Clark. This was an in-depth book on the Sydney suburban
electrified railway system.
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More than a
decade later in 1974 came The Shale
Railways of NSW
by Gifford Eardley and Eric Stephens, published
by the NSW branch of the Australian Railway
Historical Society. This book ran to 241 pages
and had a separate map, enclosed in an envelope,
which was attached to the rear endpaper. A
reprint of this book was done in a limp cover and
a revised edition appeared recently. |
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Top recommendation and my vote for BEST railway
books.
REFLECTIONS OF AN
ENGINEMAN and FROM GREASE TO GOLD BRAID, both by Ken
Ames: Ken's time working for the NSWGR (NSW Government Railways) is
covered by these two wonderfully illustrated books. Amazingly
detailed, very readable whether you're a steam fan or not,
you'll have some idea of what it meant to work on the NSW
railways, beginning during WW2.
GEORGE and ROBERT STEPHENSON by L T
C Rolt: Sub-titled THE RAILWAY REVOLUTION, this is the
brilliantly researched and entertaining story of
two of the 19th Century's greatest engineers.
Told in fine style by one of history's finest
authors. Filled with anecdotes of the time,
quotes from first hand reports and the like, this
truly is one of the best books I've ever had the
pleasure of reading. Published by Longman's of
London, 1960. (John, 7.07)
GIANTS of STEAM by Jonathan Glancey: Great
men and machines of rail's Golden Age. Entertaining and comprehensive look at the subject with technical
details simply explained, plus a look at what steam could do in the future. Highly recommended.
(John, 9.13)
TRAINS and RAILWAYS of AUSTRALIA by
Jim Powe: Nostalgic look back at Australia's railway
systems by the late author, with interesting
recollections. Many photos not seen before, and
for the average reader a potted history of all
our states with recent photos of newer equipment.
Published by New Holland, 2008. (John, 5.09)
MEMORIES OF STEAM by Tom Quinn: Subtitled The Golden Age of Britain's
Railways, this is a marvelous book which
captures the memories by way of interviews and
photos, the like of which I've never seen between
the covers of ANY railway book. If you buy just
one railway book, this just has to be IT!
Published by David and Charles, UK, 2008, ISBN-13
978-0-7153-2956-6 (John, 6.09)
SPEEDING NORTH WITH THE "ROYAL
SCOT" by driver L A Earl with H N Greenleaf: Subtitled "A Day in the Life of a Locomotive
Man". Wonderful book from the driver's
footplate, with lineside descriptions, "how
to" details; from Camden Depot via Euston to
Carlisle. Includes log, LMS named loco lists and
illustrated guide to both sides of the line,
published 1939. Any fan of the LMS or British
Steam MUST have this book. Highly recommended.
(John, 4.10)
SYDNEY'S CENTRAL by John Oakes, ARHS 2002, 64 pages in
card covers. Au$15. isbn 0 909650 56 x History and behind the scenes at the hub of NSW railways;
many early photos and interesting anecdotes. Highly
recommended. |
SOME GREAT RAILWAY and
TRAMWAY READING
Below you'll find listed (in date order)
some of my favourite articles from various railway
publications: Australian, American and English. This is
ongoing.
Author
/ title / publication*/ date.(Date order,
older first)
Morgan,
David P.: God's wonderful railway,
Trains, Aug, 1985
O'Connor, Riley: Case of the Chicago Tunnel
trackwalker, Trains, June, 1987
Brouws, Jeff: Remember the Railroader,
Trains (Turntable column), Jan, 1988
Rhine, Stan: Flying the Coop:Tale of a Stewed
Goose, LRP #14, May-June, 1988
Holmes, Lloyd: The Makings of a Wheeltapper,
ARE, June, 1988
Rollins, Douglas: Leaving, Trains
(Turntable column), June, 1988
Larsen, Wal: On Being Mistaken, ARE,
Sept, 1988
Seletto, Jim: The Perils of Photography,
ARE, Sept, 1988
Larsen, Wal: After Many Years, ARE, Dec,
1988
Peyton, Ernest (Ernie) S: Fireman, TS,
Jan-Mar, 1989
Holmes, Lloyd: Fog, ARE,. March,1989
Young, Andrew D: Suspended in Time (Isle
of Man), LRP March-Apr, 1989
Holmes, Lloyd: Memories of Cul, ARE,.
June,1989
Thomson, Max: Bendigo's Saturday Night Fever,
ARE, June,1989
Benson, Ted: "We're Either Geniuses or
Fools!" (Richard Steinheimer), LRP,
Sept-Oct, 1989
Seletto, Jim: Fez Pliz, ARE, December,
1989
Morahan, Mick: Of N Class, O Class and Other
Things, ARE, December, 1989
Seletto, Jim: A Tale of Three Locos,
ARE, March, 1990
Wright, Harry: Does Anything Happen at Picton?,
ARE, March, 1990
Thomas, Bill, told to Etherton, M L: A Railwayman
Reminiscences:, ARE, June, 1990
Morahan, Mick: Enfield - Mecca of Steam,
ARE, September, 1990
Stensvard, Arthur E: Engine Hostling at North
Platte, TS Vol.7 #2, 1991
Darwin, Robert: The Canyon Creek Branch to Burke,
TS Vol.8 #2, 1992
Morahan, Mick: Tall Tales and True, ARE,
September, 1992
Kilminster, Al: The Little Streetcar that Could,
LRP #37, September-Oct, 1992
White Jr, John H.: Railway Replicas, Past and
Future, LRP #37, September-Oct, 1992
Binder, Gary E: Alco PA-1 Locomotives on the
Union Pacific, TS Vol.8 #3, 1993
Rahilly, J: Bird's Eye Impressions of a Country
Railway Staff, ARE, December, 1993
Stormont, John: Memories of a NSW Signalman -
North Strathfield Jct, ARE, December, 1993
Stratmann, Carl: Work-Shadowing with 'H G
Forsythe', SW, September, 1998
Haigh, Phil: Teamwork on the track gang,
SR, November, 1998
Griffiths, Owen: A Midnight Trip to Bristol Docks,
SW, January, 1999
Pigott, Nick: Ian Allan ... the man who launched
a million locospotters, TRM, February, 1999
Milner,
Chris: Preservation's Future Lies in their hands,
TRM, March, 1999
Crawley, John: Down, Dlddley-um, Down ...,
SW, April, 1999 (Magnificent Men in their Flying
Machines)
Mallinson, G.W.: Farewell to Steam - At 97 MPH
Through Essendine, SW, April, 1999
Hardy, R.H.N.: The 'Poggy' Log Pt.6, SW,
April, 1999
Vaughan, Adrian: Paddington-Bristol - the
strategic railway, RW, April, 1999
Marsden, Colin J.: The Perfect Match
(couplings & multiple working), TRM, August, 1999
Smith, William H.: The Tooting, Merton and
Wimbledon Railway, SD, August, 1999
Bowden, Simon: A look at the South African narrow
gauge, RW, February, 2000
Carter, Thomas S.: Harry and me & the Kay See,
T, April, 2003 [re. Harry Truman]
Datri, Joe: Bridge Out!, T, May, 2003
Purisch, Malcom T.: Wartime duty: a "Yank
Airman's" three-day Queensland odyssey, T,
May, 2003
Patterson, Steve: Boss of a dot on a map,
T, June, 2004
Meyer, Gabriel S.: Rougemere Nights, T,
June, 2004
Niemann, Linda Grant: Boomer in a Boom Town,
T, June, 2004
Lilienthal, Gary: Sydney to Canberra and Guangzhou to Hong Kong,
RD, February, 2014
* ARE=
Australian Railway Enthusiast
* LRP= Locomotive & Railway Preservation (US)
* RD= Railway Digest (NSW, Australia)
* RW= Railway World (UK)
* SD= Steam Days (UK)
* SR= Steam Railway (UK)
* SW= Steam World (UK)
* T=Trains (US)
* TRM= The Railway Magazine (UK)
* TR= The Streamliner (Union Pacific Historical society,
USA)
AUSTRALIA, NSW, RAILWAY
PHOTOGRAPHERS most memorable
BELBIN,
Phil: for movies of NSW and other steam
MORAHAN,
Mick:
for 1960s period
POWE, Jim: for movies of NSW steam
REED,
Noel:
for 1950s period, Sydney trams
SELETTO,
Jim:
for 1950s period
STORMONT,
John
US RAILWAY
PHOTOGRAPHERS most memorable
STEINHEIMER,
Richard
LINKS including
Yahoo Lists (=e-mail newsletters) Please advise John chiefchook@gmail.com
if any aren't working and tell me of any others you think
could be included.
AMRM
Page Author's home page
The Bankstown Line NSW
BLUE MOUNTAINS, NSW,
Railways Links NSW
Cardiff Railway Workshops NSW
Dorrigo
Steam Railway and Museum Largest collection
of railway locos and rolling stock in Australia,
though NOT yet open to the public. Join up and
work on this massive undertaking. NSW
C38 Class NSWGR Locos NSW
3801 SRA NSW Preservation
details
Flickr Photostream You'll find my NSW
rail photos here.
Free Railway Ads
Iron Horse Hobbies, Wagga, NSW
Model Railway Exhibitions in
Australia
Model Railway Express Pat Hammond online
NSW Rail Transport Museum Museums and rail
tours NSW
Penrith-Keswick line Penrith, UK!
RAILWAY
FICTION
RAILWAY DIGEST (NSW, ARHS)
contents 1976 onwards A listing of main
contents NSW
THE TITFIELD THUNDERBOLT A comprehensive
site on the English movie of the 1950s.
Tri-ang Trains in Australia
Tri-ang model Trains A British site
Valley Heights Locomotive
Depot Heritage Museum, Blue Mountains, NSW
Diana Ross, 'The Little Red
Engine' author and illustrator |
Join
Trams
Down Under if you're interested in the Australian-New
Zealand Tramway scene. Send a blank e-mail to TramsDownUnder-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or go to the web
page at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TramsDownUnder/
Join BRITISH RAILWAYS on Yahoo for all
discussions on British Steam: BR, pre-grouping and
preserved; send a blank e-mail to British-Railways-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Join STEAM LOCO on Yahoo for all
discussions on US Steam, both model and 1:1; send a blank
e-mail to steamloco-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Join Sydney Train Enthusiasts Yahoo
Groups newsletter for discussion and information on the
Sydney suburban railway network. Currently un-utilised
since I moved to the Blue Mountains. Send a blank e-mail
to Sydney_train_enthusiasts-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
READERS' COMMENTS
Date: 5/09/03 8:50:06 AUS Eastern Standard
Time
From: paul.rogers@apex.net.au (Paul)
Mention of early - one might call "classic" -
books on Australian trains on your web site, together
with illustrations of their covers, brings back memories
of childhood and adolescence (I was an early model
baby-boomer, having been born in 1947).
May I add to your lists, two related publications? These
are the "Souvenir Brochure - NSWGR - 1855-1955" and the
"Tri-ang
Australian Catalogue - 1960/61". The first
mentioned booklet was issued at a separate price to
complement the hard bound "Railways of NSW
1955-1955" (which you have mentioned), and carried
illustrations and text descriptions of exhibits at both Sydney Terminal and Wynyard stations. Exhibits covered a
wide range of items, from tracklaying units, through
various classes of steam locomotives, electric power
supply systems, passenger and freight stock, to
signalling. The cover of this 54-page booklet is a hand
coloured photograph of green streamlined Pacific 3802
heading north alongside Mullet Creek with a Newcastle
bound 'Flyer'. Surprisingly, the exhibits at the 1955
Centenary never included any suburban electric stock.
This may have been caused by a late-running assembling of
F39 set as a prototype power door set. The omission of
suburban electric stock is notable, considering the
public outcry and political responses to train safety
issues in the mid-1950s.
The Tri-ang catalogue showed an impression of their
1955-type Comeng Sputnik model set leaving the northern
approaches of Sydney Harbour Bridge and coasting into
Milsons Point station. The model train overlays the
photograph taken in 1958 of the real thing!
The availability of the Tri-ang models and "First
Stop Central" in the 1960s whetted my appetite for
Sydney suburban electrics, especially appropriate as I
grew up on Sydney's north shore. #
DVD REVIEWS
Shooting Through! (Aust), Tramway
memories in Sydney and Newcastle, 165 minutes on 2 discs,
variable quality due to old source material, but 10/10
nostalgia. Excellent commentary.
In Steam / Visions of Steam, Jim Powe (Aust) 60 minutes.
Vintage film of NSW steam of variable quality but of great interest
10/10
Highland Rail Festival 2003 (UK), 50 minutes
widescreen. Brilliant quality, highly recommended 10/10
Film Night / Steam in NSW, Belbin Video, 2005 (Aust) 60 minutes.
Variable quality but well-filmed and wonderful entertainment. 10/10
Films from the Archives, Jim Powe 1994 (Aust), 70 minutes, NSWGR
official films. Variable quality but of great interest.10/10
Tasmania's West Coast Wilderness Railway
(Aust) 61 minutes, excellent quality, recommended 10/10
Heyday of British Steam (UK - Duke), 268
minutes on 5 discs, taken from 8mm film so marginal to
acceptable quality, but of great historical interest,
with excellent commentary, recommended 8/10
Flying Scotsman Comes Home (UK), 55
minutes 4:3. Excellent quality. Recommended 8/10
Vintage Steam Vols.1&2 (UK), 90
minutes. A lot of poor quality images but contains a
colour version of 'London to Brighton at 500mph' and a
few other good snippets, so 7/10
Lost Railways, The (UK) around an hour,
closed railways of the 50s; then and now. The
"now" footage is less than satisfactory, but
the early stuff is of interest, and better filmed if of
poorer image quality! 6/10
The World's Fastest Trains (Aust) 75
minutes, Good quality but some boring stuff from France,
5/10
Author: John chiefchook@gmail.com
PO Box 781, Katoomba NSW 2780, Australia
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