British Railways Steam
The Final Years
1965-1968

Can it really be 40 years this August since the end of standard-gauge steam in service in the UK?

Six Bells Junction has been used one source of information for this new book, being published by Silver Link Publishing:

Copies of this book can be ordered by visiting this Website.

Steam on British Railways finally came to an end officially on 4 August 1968. However, this was not the whole story, as by that time steam locomotives in day to day operations were focused in the North West of the UK. Steam in other areas of the country had been consigned to history over the previous few years.

The first Region of British Railways to suffer this fate was the Western, with steam being summarily withdrawn on 31 December 1965. After that date, any ex-GWR locos at work on the erstwhile Western Region had been transferred to the Midland Region following boundary changes a year or so beforehand. The East Coast Main Line out of King’s Cross saw progressive withdrawal of steam throughout 1965 and 1966, but perhaps of more significance in the latter year was the end of steam on the Somerset & Dorset and Great Central Railways, with closure of those two much loved and late lamented routes.

1967 was to witness the final workings of steam on the Southern Region and in Scotland. Steam still soldiered on in the North East of the UK to this point but was to go by the end of this year.

Thus, 1968 dawned with rapidly depleting steam services and remaining locomotives either being withdrawn or receiving basic maintenance to keep them running - often involving the use of cannibalised parts from their former glorious colleagues. In many cases, Enthusiasts suddenly woke up to the impending demise of steam and began invading the North West in large numbers to witness and /or record events.

This book both celebrates and commemorates those last four dramatic years, recording both working locomotives, shed scenes and a selected number of routes, many of which closed during the period under examination, by way of illustrating the disappearing steam age railway. The views are nostalgic, poignant and ones that cannot be repeated.

Thankfully, of course there was not to be the much feared total and final death knell for steam , thanks to the valiant efforts of hundreds of enthusiasts/volunteers who have preserved and or restored both locomotives and lines in the four decades since.

John Stretton is now a professional writer and photographer with a special interest in railways. Having retired from a career in Banking some years ago, and, more recently as a part time postman. He is the author of over 25 books, including many for Silver Link and Past & Present Publishing. John lives in Ashchurch, Gloucestershire which is convenient for both for travelling to those areas where he needs to work and the delights of the Birmingham to Bristol Main Line.

Peter Townsend was born in Coventry but spent his formative years in Swindon, so an interest in railways was perhaps inevitable! He has worked in publishing for over 30 years and lives and works in Northamptonshire.