Essays in Steam
Compiled by noted author, Ron Preston, this 112 page, hard cover book features each chapter with illustrated with black and white photographs and appropriate track diagrams.
This book shares some of the experiences of the author during his railway career when he commenced as a trainee electrical engineer in 1956 through the turbulent era when diesel traction took over from steam to the period where he was the Manager of Works Cardiff in the 1980s. These experiences are coloured by Ron's passion for railways, particularly the smaller, almost unseen bevy of engines that worked behind the scenes ensuring that the NSWR could maintain its passenger and goods traffic schedules and his pleasure of travelling the distant country branch line. The coverage is not limited to the NSW government system alone, for the Maitland coalfields were not far from the author's home, nor is the Queensland Railway system ignored.
The book is divided into 11 chapters:
A Day on the Eugowra Branch
Memories of Old Eveleigh
A Rough Trip
A Tale of Two Garratts
Modifying the 34 Class
A Fast Ride
The Aramac Tramway
A Day Trip to Yass
Fast Shunting - SMR Style
A Tale of Two Shunters
Days on the Hawkesbury River Bank
Pages: 112
Author: Ron Preston
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 0-646-24591-0