South Yorkshire's golden age of steam brought to life in fantastic new book

Author Peter Hadfield takes readers on a journey through time with his new book, The Golden Age of Yorkshire Steam and Beyond, that offers a rare view of locomotives in the works and on the scrap lines at Doncaster and Darlington, including Gresley's pioneer A4 60014 Silver Link on the scrap line at Doncaster Works.

Peter said his passion for railways probably came from his mother, who as a young woman worked in the control centre at Cudworth on the former LMS system.

He said: “I started trainspotting at a very young age, watching the local steam-hauled passenger and expresses, along with the freight services, pass near near my house.”

The book clearly reflects his love of trains and The Golden Age of Yorkshire Steam includes a wealth of unique memories and experiences from a collection of railway enthusiasts, who in their youth were fascinated by the steam locomotives that ruled the rails.

Peter said: “Discover what it was like growing up in York and experiencing the sights and sounds of the giants of the former LNER system, including A4s, A3s, A2s, A1s and V2s, along with the Jubilees, the Royal Scots, and Black Fives of the former LMS system and the BR Standards. Explore life on the footplate of the engines allocated to Royston shed, right up to the end of steam. Read about the push and pull service that ran from Cudworth - Barnsley - Cudworth across the iconic Oaks Viaduct, as well as the Barnsley - Doncaster and York - Doncaster - Darlington journeys.”

The book provides a fascinating insight into a railway system now long gone, the book is designed to ignite the memories of anyone who enjoyed the thrill of trainspotting during the 1950s and early 1960s, when steam was still king, before the rapid introduction of diesel and electric traction led to the complete elimination of steam from the rail network in 1968,

with the exception of Flying Scotsman.

The book, published by Pen and Sword, is out now available here and priced £14.99.