Local resident publishes locomotive history book

A DILTON Marsh resident has published a book about the birth of London, Midland and Scottish Railway’s (LMS) Princess Royal Class – a class of express passenger steam locomotive designed by William Stanier.

‘The Princess Royal Pacifics’ written by Tim Hillier-Graves, documents the arrival of William Stanier to LMS in 1932 as their chief mechanical engineer and follows his work as he tried to help the company compete with their rivals,  the London and North Eastern Railway.

The book’s synopsis says, “Overshadowed and often overlooked, these engines tend to be seen as a stepping stone to something better. Yet, in reality they stand up well to the closest scrutiny, and this book tells the story of these engines through the eyes of those who came into contact with them.

“They also best represent the impact William Stanier had on locomotive design and best describe the way he changed the culture of the LMS to allow it to grow successfully. It is a story of great endeavour and courage that can only be told by revealing and discussing political, social, economic and engineering issues.”

The book is available to buy from www.pen-and-sword.co.uk.