Peter Tuffrey
Nottingham-based Bill Reed, now 78, was a fireman on steam locomotives in the early part of his working life, eventually graduating to being a driver on diesel electrics. Much of his spare time has been taken up with photographing many aspects of railways throughout Great Britain, Europe (including the former Iron Curtain countries) and the USA. In this selection he has used convenient vantage points on and off the East Coast Main Line to capture the Indian summer of steam. Many of the familiar classes of locomotives - A1s, A2s, A3s and A4s - are featured with pinpoint sharpness by Bill, as well as a few early diesels. Familiar customs once associated with steam traction are brought to mind again in this collection of over 220 black & white images. An example is seen at Muskham Troughs where Sir Nigel Gresley's thirsty engines picked up water in a seemingly primitive but effective way - in the middle of the track - to help speed them on to their respective destinations. This book is part of one man's life's work of photographing the railways; his enthusiasm is evident in every picture.
British Railways Steam: Kings Cross to Aberdeen