Books - Comments by Railmaster London

Books - Comments by Railmaster London

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Member	Item		Review/Comment
Railmaster London 11th Mar 2019		Book Colin Druce - Southdown At War (2015)	During its long existence Southdown Motor Services Ltd was generally held in great regard by its customers, transport professionals and enthusiasts alike. Perhaps it was the smart apple green and cream buses which could be seen in all the towns and resorts between Hastings in the east and Fareham in the west and inland for up to 20 miles. This book describes the everyday difficulties and dangers faced by Southdown and those living and working in its area during the Second World War. It is not just about the buses and coaches but includes details of the devastating air raids that affected the coastal towns. The imposition at various times of Defence Areas, Curfews and Visitor Bans all brought major changes to everyday life including the provision of bus services. This book is the fruit of ten years of original research to cover a period of Southdown's history not previously covered in depth. It covers not only the effect on the company but also the effects on the areas it served.
Railmaster London 11th Mar 2019		Book Glyn Kraemer-Johnson - Southdown Style (2015)	The many events held and publications produced to celebrate the centenary of Southdown Motor Services in 2015 all went to emphasise the high esteem in which the Company was, and still is held, not only by enthusiasts but by those to whom the apple green and cream buses were an integral part of everyday life. It is remembered particularly for the exceptional quality and comfort of its vehicles, its superb maintenance standards, its superior service and its pride in the presentation of vehicles and staff alike. This book attempts to illustrate, in words and pictures, the various elements which went to create the Southdown style and to explain why, almost fifty years after the 'true' Southdown was swallowed up by the National Bus Company, it is still held in such high regard by enthusiasts, former employees and the general public alike. In the words of Brighton's own Max Miller, 'there will never be another'.
Railmaster London 10th Mar 2019		Book Michael Hymans - Southdown Buses (2016)	Publisher Blurb Before Southdown became part of the National Bus Company, it was a well respected organisation. It became a byword for efficiency and comfort over the large area it operated in – from Portsmouth in the west to Eastbourne in the east, as well as inland to the Surrey border. They operated local bus services, express coach services and excursions. It is said that when touting for business on seafronts with other companies, their drivers did not have to approach the public – due to their reputation, the public approached them. Published here for the first time, this book collects 200 previously unseen photographs of Southdown buses during the 1950s and acts as an invaluable document of an iconic aspect of British transport history.
Railmaster London 10th Mar 2019		Book Daniel K. Longman - The Beatles' Landmarks In Liverpool (2017)	This comment could go on any book about Liverpool. but its just my thoughts on the place. Maybe if it were not for The Beatles would Liverpool be cared for, or thought of, around the world or in England (actually is it?), as much or in the same way? Yet , of Britains coastal ports , Liverpool is Unique ( you could argue Bristol or Glasgow have similarities, but Bristol is in a tight spot with steeply climbing gorges and the rise of tide on the Avon give a different nautical feel. Glasgow on a wide firth, with a match on large scale shipbuilding as well as import/export has a different evolution. Liverpool, with its later populous hinterland all the way to Manchester, and arguably Leeds, and the just right width of The Mersey and the hugging of the quays and docks around the with the Mersey to The South and The Irish Sea to the immediate West and its relatively gentle rising streets (Woolwich in London has a similar geographical feel for me). A place, where, as my son observed when six at me ' They Talk Funny'. Liverpool's Dock Trade managed to cover Coastal Shipping, in the days when British roads were expensively close to being impassable water navigation was needed for heavy freight and cheap people movement. Inter-British Isles Trade- mainly to and from Ireland being well placed for Belfast, Dublin, Waterford and Cork, and the international trade routes less affected by any desires of the French or Dutch to annoy English Channel trading, to the likes of Africa and The Americas. Sometime in the Mid 1850s one of my past family relations moved their family from the Protestant SW Ireland where they had been involved in Church and social Music, to the up-coming Victorian Villas and Streets of Liverpool 6 and nearby areas. With the coming of time the large family descended into strands of hard working butchers and railway workers, moved west into the Lancashire Cotton Mills or to the USA, but some stayed in their profession of music teaching, academies and singing performances in halls and village clubs around the NW of England, with reviews in papers local of the latest things, whilst the main father wrote on the theory of Singing. As every good Liverpudlian eventually this man died at the age of 89 in retirement in leafy North Wales. The academy continued with two spinster daughters and other descendents, including teaching one Derek Guyler correct English speech and pronounciation. Such places may not feature directly in The Beatles circle of influence but provided part of the backdrop that had decline set in- managed , deliberate or reflective of economic change beyond control ? by the 1970s at least, but which in the 2010s shows a change of mild reversal and a determination to improve the area , retain the historically interesting and provide a future (as to if it is the best future only future years can judge), and there appears to be a cultural vibrancy - maybe smaller than the 1950s and 60s - returning to Merseyside. Did The Beatles abandon Liverpool, and was London to blame? Maybe, as 4 guys once the wider horizons were opened to them George , in keeping both his love of Music going and a spirtual sphere, which may have developed anyway, with money could afford to indulge in another part of England both passions, John in many ways New York was not so different to Liverpool anyway, Ringo , well think the opportunities taken from being with Rory Storme and onwards and upwards anyway probably if The Beatles had been commercially unsuccessful may well have plied his trade anywhere in the UK, and Paul was influenced more by the women in his life on making his home in slightly more rural places. In short as opportunities arose and they moved on, home places change, and going back does not always work once you move out, and even North Wales seems a second place for retirement when you have even bigger choices.
Railmaster London 10th Mar 2019		Book Michael Hymans - British Coaching (2016)	Publisher Blurb Coaches have long been a part of life in Britain, from the days of eighteenth-century stage coaches galloping along muddied tracks to air-conditioned fleets cruising the motorways of the modern day. As we moved past the horse-driven coaches of the past, and the charabancs and buses that followed, three key parts of the industry shaped the world of coaching as we know it today: the chassis manufacturers, the coachbuilders and the operators. Delving into his impressive collection of rare and unseen photographs, Michael Hymans explores each of these in turn and delivers a fascinating, lavishly illustrated history of the major players in the world of British coaching. Profiling major names such as AEC, Leyland, Duple and Bristol, with photographs dating back as far as the early twentieth century, this is an essential volume for any enthusiast keen to learn more about Britain’s coaching history Me: Others have noted Kindle edition captions not correct, from my own quick look before I sold my copy it could have been better, but then street price is £7 to £10 so what do you expect ?
Railmaster London 9th Mar 2019		Book Kevin McCormack - Bygone Edinburgh (2008)	Publisher Blurbs and Reviews: Bygone Edinburgh records Edinburgh in the period between 1945 and 1980, showing the ever changing streetscape of the city. It is a city of two halves: the medieval city with its twisting lanes dominated by the castle and St Giles and the New Town, constructed predominantly in the 18th century, with its grandiose terraces and wide streets. As well as being Scotland's capital, also called 'the Athens of the North', Edinburgh is a major commercial and industrial city with large suburbs and a port area on the south side of the Forth estuary. At the time, in order to function as a city, Edinburgh needed an efficient public transport network and with the network of suburban railways largely closed, using trams and buses, the city was able to operate effectively. Synopsis Edinburgh is a city of two halves: the mediaeval city with its twisting lanes dominated by the castle and St Giles and the New Town, constructed predominantly in the 18th century, with its grandiose terraces and wide streets. As well as being Scotland's capital, also called 'the Athens of the north', Edinburgh is a major commercial and industrial city with large suburbs and a port area on the south side of the Forth estuary. In order to function as a city, Edinburgh needed an efficient public transport network and, with a network of suburban railways, now largely closed, and trams and buses courtesy of the Corporation, the city was able to operate effectively."Bygone Edinburgh" is a follow-up to Gavin Booth's "Streets of Edinburgh", recording Edinburgh in the period between 1945 and 1980, and like the earlier book, shows the ever changing streetscape of the city. Many of the 85 colour illustrations are previously unpublished and include some aspect of public transport, such as the trams (but only until 1956, when the final trams were withdrawn) and buses, with other photographs showing a wider variety of subject, including railway and street scenes. The "Streets Of" and "Bygone" series have tapped into a rich seam of nostalgia for the lost towns and cities of the British Isles, appealing both to the transport enthusiast who find the historic views of buses and trams of interest, but also to a local audience who are fascinated by the snapshot that the books offer to their home towns. This new addition to a successful series will be sought after by all those who know Edinburgh and those with an interest in its history. The title of the book is misleading. It is about bygone public transport vehicles in and around Edinburgh, fine if you are seriously into trams, buses and railways, but any nostalgic views of bygone Edinburgh the city are mainly incidental. I would not have bought the book had I realised this. I give it two stars, only because the photos are excellent and do recall some old times, but text is minimal and specialised, and, as a real memoir of Bygone Edinburgh, the book is a non-starter for any but the transport buffs. Excellent book, full of transport photographs in colour & black/white. Trams in Edinburgh without the current problems. For anyone who remembers the era of the steam locomotive, the tram and the horse drawn milk float. This book will bring back fond memories especially if you are a native of Edinburgh. It is a collection of colour photographs(with detailed notes)which were taken mostly 40 -50 years ago. In addition to the aforementioned modes of transport there are photographs of the different types of buses on the streets at that time. It is somewhat ironical that at the time of writing this review the trams are due to be reintroduced to the streets of Edinburgh sometime this year. Or is it next? The project having been beset with problems and delays. But then, what's new!
Railmaster London 9th Mar 2019		Book Various Authors - Bygone Kent (2009)	Publisher Blurb There is now huge nostalgia for times gone by and a demand for photographs of lost scenes. Following the success of "Bygone London" and "Bygone Surrey", Ian Allan Publishing are now delighted to publish "Bygone Kent", which gives a beautiful pictorial record of past times in the 'garden of England.' Originating mainly from the 1960s, the photographs cover a broad selection of road, rail and maritime subjects around Westerham, Sittingbourne, Paddock Wood, Sheerness, Wateringbury, Tunbridge Wells, Folkestone and Hawkhurst. There are magnificent scenes of steam, diesel and electric-hauled trains of BR Southern Region, together with buses of East Kent, Maidstone & District and Maidstone Corporation. Maritime enthusiasts will also be delighted with some nostalgic scenes of the Woolwich Ferry and pleasure steamers and cross-Channel ferries sailing from Dover.
Railmaster London 9th Mar 2019		Book Various Authors - Bygone Brighton (2010)	Publisher Blurb Over the past 60 years, the urban landscape of Britain's major towns and cities has changed dramatically. Large-scale redevelopment has transformed the face of high streets up and down the country, resulting in numerous office blocks and large modern shopping centres. There has also been a vast increase in street furniture, further disfiguring our towns and cities. The inexorable rise of the car industry has in turn led to the growth of large retail chains with shop fronts designed to be identical across the country, thus creating more uniform streetscapes. These rapid changes have made many yearn for gentler times when each town still retained a unique character and charm. Following the success of "Streets of Brighton", authors Glyn Kraemer-Johnson and John Bishop return to the town for another look at its streetscapes and transport in the years following World War 2. Featuring over 80 bright colour illustrations, almost all unpublished, "Bygone Brighton" will be perfect for tourists visiting the area as well as road transport enthusiasts nationwide.
Railmaster London 9th Mar 2019		Book Jef Johnson - The Heyday Of: London Coach Operators (1997)	Same Book Different Cover Illustrations, Will have to re-buy to see what differences otherwise. Think one could have been a book club re-press.
Railmaster London 9th Mar 2019		Book Tony Jasper - 20 Years Of The British Record Charts 1955-1975 (1976)	How much of this was incorporated into Guiness Hit Records, which draws on the same underlying information ?

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