List of books for sale just for the Diesel and Electric Enthusiast.
For a list of the abbreviations used please see book condition page.
All books are hardback unless otherwise stated, paperback (pb), booklet or leaflet.
If you would like to see a photograph of any of the books on this web site please e-mail julie@bufferbooks.com
Adderson, Richard & Saunders, Paul. Rediscovering Railways - Norfolk - Past and Present. Railway Heritage from The Nostalgia Collection. All facets of Norfolk lines past and present are covered. Compare and contrast the images at Drayton and Wendling. (glossy card cover) Past and Present Publishing, 1999, pp96. F £5.95
AEI/Sulzer Bros. Operating Manual. British Railways Locomotives D5176-D5299 D7500-D7677. The equivalent of a manufacturers handbook with diagrams, photographs plus detailed instructions. All you need now is a class 25! (glossy card cover) AEI/Sulzer Bros., 1966, pp89. VG £4.95
Allen, David. Diesels in the North East. A photographic study of diesel operations in North East England. The photographs are accompanied by detailed captions. The vast majority of the locomotives and the workings are now gone forever. Oxford Publishing Co., 1984, 206 b/w plates, large format. VG, VG (creases on back blank fly leaf) £7.95
Allen, David. Diesels in the North East. A photographic study of diesel operations in North East England. The photographs are accompanied by detailed captions. The vast majority of the locomotives and the workings are now gone forever. Oxford Publishing Co., 1984, 206 b/w plates, large format. VG, VG £7.95
Allen, Geoffrey Freeman. The Fastest Trains in the World. This book was the first comprehensive serious account of all world railway speed records attained from 1900 to the late 1970s. Well illustrated in largely b/w with many maps, diagrams and technical data. Ian Allan, 1978, pp160, large format. VG, VG (covered inscription on front blank page) £6.95
Allen, Geoffrey Freeman. The World’s Fastest Trains - From the Age of Steam to the TGV. 2nd edition. An authoritative account of 100mph-+ rail travel in the 20th Century. Through a thorough analysis it considers the technological advances across Europe and North America. In the UK particular attention is given to the development of the APT/HST and the many technological and operational challenges. Extensively illustrated. Patrick Stephens Ltd., 1992, pp192. VG, VG £7.95
Allen, Geoffrey Freeman. The Yeoman 59s. Jane’s Rail Special. Prepared with assistance from Foster Yeoman/General Motors, this is a study of the origin and operation of this innovative class that has shaped the nature of 21st Century freight. Illustrated with 40 b/w and 12 colour photographs. Recommended. Jane’s,1987, pp64, glazed boards. VG £5.50
Appleby, Ken. Britain’s Rail Super Centres: York. A very comprehensive history exceptionally well illustrated with archive and contemporary photographs, including a section on the DVLR. Ian Allan, 1993, pp145, large format. VG, VG £6.95 non price clipped
Appleby, Ken. Britain’s Rail Super Centres: York. A very comprehensive history exceptionally well illustrated with archive and contemporary photographs, including a section on the DVLR. Ian Allan, 1993, pp145, large format. VG, VG £6.95
Atkinson, J.B. The West London Joint Railways. Illustrated by over 200 rare and valuable photographs/ line drawings this is a fascinating history of an important yet neglected area of West London. Ian Allan, 1984, pp128. VG, VG (small repaired tear at spine bottom of dust jacket) £4.95
Baker, Michael. The Changing London Midland Scene 1948-1983. A splendid album detailing the many changes. Split roughly half and half between diesel and steam traction. Highly recommended and exceptional value. Ian Allan, 1983, pp112. VG, VG £3.60
Baker, Michael H.C. The Southern Electric Story. A personal celebration of ‘the world’s largest main line electric railway’. This is an authoritative work considering in detail the evolution of Southern Electric services. A rather hard to find volume. Silver Link Publishing, 2001, pp128, large format. F, no dust jacket £11.95
Beer, Brian. Diesels in the Capital. A high quality album charting the enormous diversity of traffic and diesel classes around the capital in the late 1980's. An excellent volume with many classes represented. Haynes/Oxford Publishing Co., 1990, pp112, large format. F, F £8.25
Boocock, Colin. Irish Railways 40 Years of Change 1956 - 1996. A superb selection of photographs, chart a period of major change. Atlantic, 1997, pp128, large format. VG, VG £8.25
BR Class 20 Diesels. Michael Oakley. A well illustrated study of the origin, operation and performance of the class. (card cover) Bradford Barton, 1981, pp30. VG £1.50
BR Class 20 Diesels. Michael Oakley. A well illustrated study of the origin, operation and performance of the class. (card cover) Bradford Barton, 1981, pp30. VG £1.95
BR Class 26/27 Diesels. Michael Oakley. A well illustrated study of the origin, operation and performance of the class. (card cover) Bradford Barton, 1981, pp30. VG £1.50
BR Class 26/27 Diesels. Michael Oakley. A well illustrated study of the origin, operation and performance of the class. (card cover) Bradford Barton, 1981, pp30. VG (covered inscription on title page) £1.30
BR Class 31 Diesels. Michael Oakley. A well illustrated study of the origin, operation and performance of the class. (card cover) Bradford Barton, 1981, pp30. VG £1.95
British Railways. Diesel Traction - Manual for Enginemen. (cream cover with diesel silhouettes) British Transport Commission, 1962, pp271, 186 figs. VG £5.95
British Railways. Diesel Traction - Manual for Enginemen. (cream cover with diesel silhouettes) British Transport Commission, 1962, pp271. G (rubbing to spine and covered inscription on inside front cover) £4.95
British Railways London Midland Region. A.C. Electrified Lines. Working Instructions, July 1960. B.R.31170. BRLMR, 1960, pp131, 1 map + 16 pages of appendix, orange cloth bound. VG (BR employee inscription on inside front cover, dated July 1962) £2.95
British Railways. Quest For Speed. The official story of East Coast enterprise. This official publication contains a host of archive photographs and diagrams and charts the locomotives used from the Stirling singles through to the Deltics and HST stock. Half of the book is given over to modern traction and there are some superb photographs and timetables/publications along with an APT cutaway and photograph. (glossy card cover) BR Eastern Region, 1977, pp96. G (some edge rubbing) £2.50
Brown, Murray (edited by). A Day in the Life of British Rail. This work focuses on a summer Friday in 1989 and presents a vivid picture of all facets BR operations on that day. It contains a rich portrait of activities, people, locomotives and diverse train activity. A moving vignette of pre privatisation BR, with scores of b/w and colour photographs. Guild Publishing/David & Charles, 1989, pp192, large format. F, VG £4.95
Brown, Murray (edited by). A Day in the Life of British Rail. This work focuses on a summer Friday in 1989 and presents a vivid picture of all facets BR operations on that day. It contains a rich portrait of activities, people, locomotives and diverse train activity. A moving vignette of pre privatisation BR, with scores of b/w and colour photographs. Guild Publishing/David & Charles, 1989, pp192, large format. F, F £7.95
Brown, Murray (edited by). A Day in the Life of British Rail. This work focuses on a summer Friday in 1989 and presents a vivid picture of all facets BR operations on that day. It contains a rich portrait of activities, people, locomotives and diverse train activity. A moving vignette of pre privatisation BR, with scores of b/w and colour photographs. Guild Publishing/David & Charles, 1989, pp192, large format. F, VG £7.50
Brown, Murray (edited by). Jane's Railway Year. Fifth year of issue. With the emphasis upon modern traction and with many colour photographs these Yearbooks chart contemporary high and low lights. During 1985 you could have been chased by a class 37 (37 093) in Police white livery! In East Anglia track was removed from the GN and GE Joint line and the class 503 units bowed out. Jane's, 1986, pp176, glazed boards, large format. VG £3.95
Bruce, J. Graeme. The London Underground Tube Stock. This book tells the story of the rolling stock used on the tube lines, it is illustrated with many diagrams and b/w photographs. It is an historical and technical work on tube trains and stock up to 1986. (glossy card cover) Ian Allan in association with London Transport Museum, 1988, pp128, large format. VG £3.75
Chalcroft, John. Named Diesel and Electric Locomotives of British Rail - Part 4. The Peaks - British Rail Class 44, 45 & 46 Diesel Electrics. Excellent b/w photographs of the class hard at work. Recommended. (glossy card cover) Rail Photoprints, 1983, pp 38. F £2.25
Chalcroft, John. Named Diesel and Electric Locomotives of British Rail - Part 5. The 40s - English Electric 2000 HP Diesel Electrics. A pristine condition volume containing splendid photographs of 40s hard at work from the 1960s until their demise. An exceptional image is that of 40 027 running through Guide Bridge, under the wires, with a block cement train. (glossy card cover) Rail Photoprints, 1984, pp30. F £1.95
Christiansen, Rex. British Railways Pictorial: Cambrian Lines. Christiansen is a Cambrian expert and this book contains many excellent archive b/w photographs. It is split into 5 sections covering the main line, the coast Line, the Mid Wales railway, branch line decline and locomotives and sheds. Highly recommended. (glossy card cover) Ian Allan, 2004, pp80, large format. VG £5.95
Clough, David N. North-West Rails Today. A photographic and narrative study of the enormous variety of freight and passenger workings during the 1980s. First generation locomotives and DMUs abound in a largely semaphore signalled environment. (glossy card cover) Ian Allan, 1986, pp48, large format. VG £3.00
Coles, C.R.L. Railways Through the Thames Valley. Informative captions and varied locations show the fantastic variety, past and present, within the Thames Valley. It includes lesser considered locations such as Chessington, Richmond, Hampton Court and numerous diesel shots. Ian Allan, 1982, pp124. VG, VG (some rubbing to dust jacket at bottom of spine) £4.95
Cowley, Ian. Anglia East. The Transformation of a Railway. Lavishly illustrated story of the 1980’s transformation of the East Anglian network, when diesel haulage gave way to electric. David & Charles. 1987, pp96. F, no dust jacket £4.25
Cross, Derek. Roaming the West Coast Rails. A splendid volume which illustrates the transition from steam to modern traction on the West Coast route. Promotional Reprint Co./Ian Allan, 1996, pp128, large format. F, VG £4.95
Dickson, Brian J. British Railway Pictorial: Scottish Region 1948 - 1967. Over 180 steam/ first generation diesel photographs. A mix of rural and urban images and highly recommended. (glossy card cover) Ian Allan, 2006, pp96, large format. VG £6.25
Eliot, Jane. The History of the Western Railroads. A very well written and illustrated study of the railways of North America, past and present. Recommended. Bison Books, 1985, pp192, large format. F, VG £3.95
Ellis, R.F. Rails to the Tableland. The Story of the Cairns Railway. The railway played a vital role in the development of Queensland. This excellent work with many steam and diesel illustrations shows the importance of the Cairns Railway. (card cover) Australian Railway Historical Society, 1990, pp72. VG £2.95
Faulks, R.W. Principles of Transport. 3rd edition. A work reflecting the examination scheme of the Chartered Institute of Transport, relating to the management and control of transport. (pb) Ian Allan, 1982, pp160. VG £3.50
Ferris, Tom. Irish Railways in Colour. A Second Glance 1947 - 1970. This fantastic book charts the transition from steam to diesel and the gradual changes that took place regarding infrastructure. It also considers the many changes that took place on the narrow gauge lines. A highly recommended work. Midland Publishing Limited. 1995, pp144, large format, glazed boards. F £9.25
Ferris, Tom. Severn Valley Locomotives - As They Were. Severn Valley locomotives in action prior to their preservation, in their natural habitats (steam and diesel). (glossy card cover) Midland Publishing Ltd., 1995, pp84. F £3.25
Flinders, T.G. On the Settle & Carlisle Route. B/w shots on the route of both steam and modern traction. Fraser Stewart /Ian Allan, 1993, pp112. F, VG £3.95
Flinders, T.G. On the Settle & Carlisle Route. B/w shots on the route of both steam and modern traction. Fraser Stewart /Ian Allan, 1994, pp112. VG, VG (small repaired tear to dust jacket) £3.75
Ford, H L. Diesels on Cornwall’s Main Line. Brilliant photographs of Westerns, Warships and other diesels on the main line. Delightful. Bradford Barton Ltd., 1974, pp96. VG, VG (slight tear to dust jacket on spine) non clipped £5.95
Fox, Peter & Johnston, Howard. Preserved Locomotives and Multiple Units. The Complete guide to All Remaining ex-BR and Constituent Companies’ Steam, Diesel & Electric Locomotives, and Diesel & Electric Multiple Units. A very good guide produced to the high standards of the publisher. (pb) Platform 5, 1987, pp80. VG £2.95
Fratner, Alexander. Stopping Train Britain: A Railway Odyssey. Photographs by Alain Le Garsmeur. Book Club Associates, 1983, pp167. VG,G £3.95
Garrod, Trevor (edited by). East Anglia by Rail. A guide to the routes, scenery and towns. A line by line guide including many photographs of first generation diesels. The photograph of Norwich Thorpe pre remodelling/electrification shows two GE signal boxes, a class 101, 47, and a class 08, is itself a period piece. An excellent purchase. (glossy card cover) Railway Development society, 1985, pp63. F £1.95
Gilks, John Spencer. Dawn of the Diesels 1959-70 part 3. First-generation diesel locomotives and units captured by the camera of John Spencer Gilks, edited by Mike Esau. A stunning volume. Silver Link Publishing, 2003, pp128, large format. F, no dust jacket £6.75
Can be sold as a 3 part set for £19.00
Gilks, John Spencer. Day of the Diesels Volume 1: 1970-74. Edited by Mike Esau. Railway Heritage from The Nostalgia Collection. Crisp precise b/w photographs with detailed narrative from a master cameraman. Highly recommended. Silver Link Publishing, 2005, pp128, large format. F, F £11.95
Gilks, John Spencer. Day of the Diesels Volume 2: 1975-79. Edited by Mike Esau. Railway Heritage from The Nostalgia Collection. Crisp precise b/w photographs with detailed narrative from a master cameraman. Highly recommended. Silver Link Publishing, 2006, pp128, large format. F, no dust jacket £9.95
Glover, John. Abc London Underground. An illustrated book examining the London Underground by a noted Underground authority. (Small format pb) Ian Allan, 1997, pp95. F £2.45
Glover, John. British Electric Trains in Camera. B/w album featuring first generation EMU locomotives and units. Ian Allan, 1982, pp128. VG, VG £4.95
Glover, John. London's Branch Railways. London's railway network still includes a vast array of branch lines. John Glover covers all of these with a mix of archive and modern (1970s, 80s &90s) images. The authoritative volume. Ian Allan, 1999, pp128, large format. F, F £6.95
Glover, John. London’s Underground. 10th edition. This work has become accepted as the most authoritative account of the development and operation of the Underground and is comprehensively illustrated throughout. Ian Allan, 2003, pp160, large format. F, VG £8.50
Glover, John. Railways in and around London Then & Now. This is one of the lesser known volumes. John Glover shows that the railways around our capital have changed in some cases beyond comprehension during the last 50 years (see Rickmansworth 1952 and 1998 p142), whilst elsewhere the changes are significantly less discernable, such as at Watford. Ian Allan, 1999, pp256, large format. VG, no dust jacket £8.50
Hardy, Brian. London Underground Rolling Stock. 1980 edition Incorporating Stock List at 1st January 1980. This book describes and illustrates each type of rolling stock on London’s Underground covering tube stock, surface stock and unit formations. With additional chapter on sold and preserved stock and an interesting section on service stock which includes electric, diesel and battery locomotives, pilot and ballast motor cars, rail grinding cars, track maintenance machines, tunnel cleaning train and cranes and wagons. (card cover) Capital Transport, 5th edition 1980, pp112. VG (some sunning to spine) £2.95
Heiron, George F. Roaming the Western Rails. Excellent largely diesel photographs including many class 50s, 47s, vividly capturing the changing scene, with the emergent HSTs. Ian Allan, 1980, pp128, large format. VG, VG £5.95
Hennessey, R.A.S. The Electric Railway That Never Was. York - Newcastle 1919. It is easy forget that the idea of electrifying the NER between York - Newcastle came close to realisation in 1919-22. An express electric locomotive was built at Darlington, tests were undertaken and negotiations were in hand. This interesting volume tells the story of the innovation that was not to be. Recommended. (glossy card cover) Oriel Press Limited, 1970, pp32. VG (some wear to spine) £3.25
Hick, Frank L. That Was My Railway. From ploughman’s kid to railway boss, 1922 - 1969. The career of Frank Hick covered the steam age to the Deltic age and when he penned this work the HST held sway. A well written, sharp and highly readable autobiography, greatly recommended. Near pristine condition. Silver Link Publishing, 1991, pp160. F, F £5.95
Hillmer, John & Shannon Paul. Diesels in North & Mid Wales. A rare volume showing the enormous variety of traction and scenic locations in North and Mid Wales. A lovely volume. Haynes/Oxford Publishing Co., 1990, pp96, large format. VG, VG £7.95
Hillmer, John & Shannon Paul. Diesels in North & Mid Wales. A rare volume showing the enormous variety of traction and scenic locations in North and Mid Wales. A lovely volume. Haynes/Oxford Publishing Co., 1990, pp96, large format. VG, VG price clipped £7.95
Hobson, A. Wyn The Last Years of the Class 40s. A fitting tribute to the class during the final years which saw use on an enormous variety of freight and passenger services. (glossy card cover) Ian Allan, 1985, pp80. VG £3.35
Hobson, A. Wyn The Last Years of the Class 40s. A fitting tribute to the class during the final years which saw use on an enormous variety of freight and passenger services. (glossy card cover) Ian Allan, 1985, pp80. F £4.95
Hobson, A.W. Trains of Thought. Edited for the Phoenix Railway-Photographic Circle. This volume produced on behalf of Phoenix Railway Photographic Circle contains splendid atmospheric images of the railway in its environment. Many have tried to emulate A. Wyn Hobson and fellow Phoenix members but few have succeeded. A ground breaking volume. George Allen & Unwin, 1981, pp 128, large format. F, F £7.95
Hornby, Frank. London Suburban. An illustrated history of the capitol's commuter lines since 1948. A detailed and very well illustrated survey of the changes that took place post 1945. Both the more popular locations such as the South East Division are covered along with the major changes that have taken place regarding the North London lines such as Dalston and Brondsbury. Silver Link Publishing, 1995, 1st edition, pp192, large format. F, F £8.95
Howson, H.F. London’s Underground. The Development of the World’s Largest Underground Railway System. More than 250 miles of railways are spread over the routes of the London transport system, criss-crossing London, threading the suburbs and spreading out into the country. This illustrated book tells the story of their development and this edition is updated to include all recent developments. Also includes a 1976 London Underground diagram of lines and station index. Ian Allan, 3rd edition revised and enlarged 1962, pp125, pull out map. VG, VG £5.50 Price clipped
Jenkinson, David (an anthology edited by). Bedside Back Track. Aspects of Britain's Railway History. This comprises an anthology of 26 articles presented in the same style as Backtrack magazine. These include classic BR diesels, The Corringham Light Railway, Britannias on the east Coast Route and the M&GNR locomotives of the early 20th century. A fantastic book. Atlantic, 1993, pp144, large format. F, VG £5.95
Johnson, Peter. British Philatelic Bulletin. The Travelling Post Office 1838 - 2004. Publication No. 10. A short, well illustrated consideration of the TPO by an acknowledged expert. (paper cover) Royal Mail, 2004, pp18. VG £1.50
Johnson, Peter. The Cambrian Lines. Rails in Wales. An excellent b/w historical/contemporary study of the main line, Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and the coast line Dovey Junction to Pwllheli. Seldom seen in such good condition. (pb) Ian Allan, 1984, pp96. VG £4.95
Johnston, Howard. Preserved BR Diesel and Electric Locomotives - The Complete Illustrated Stock-Book. Over 230 locomotives described and illustrated. This work is a thorough study of each of the noted locomotives, giving build dates, numbers carried, allocations, withdrawals, along with operational details. An excellent volume that has not been surpassed. (pb) Silver Link Publishing, 1992, pp256. VG £5.50
Johnston, Howard (compiled by). Preserved BR Diesel and Electric Traction Handbook. This work by modern traction enthusiast Howard Johnston set the scene for works that were to follow. Over 135 locomotives and units are covered each with a photograph and full page narrative. A highly recommended work which also includes ex BR shunters. (pb) Jane's Transport Press, 1987, pp143. VG £2.95
Johnston, Howard (compiled by). Preserved BR Diesel and Electric Traction Handbook. This work by modern traction enthusiast Howard Johnston set the scene for works that were to follow. Over 135 locomotives and units are covered each with a photograph and full page narrative. A highly recommended work which also includes ex BR shunters. (pb) Jane's Transport Press, 1987, pp143. VG £2.99
Kennedy, Rex. Diesels and Electrics on Shed. Volume One - London Midland Region. A splendid book celebrating the "golden age" of the "sheds" of the 1960's and 70's and their diverse residents ( 03, 08, 09, 10, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27, 31, 33, 40, 44, 45, 46, 47, 50, 56, 58 and electrics, plus DMU's and EMU's). Oxford Publishing Co., 1979, 155 b/w photographs, large format. VG, VG £6.55
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