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A Teenager in Pursuit of the Disappearing Steam Locomotive
By 1966 the steam locomotive was entering its death throes: withdrawals were being carried out at a frenetic pace, with the slightest defect sending engines straight to the cutter’s torch.
In an attempt to capture the British steam scene before it was no more, teenage enthusiast Keith Widdowson made it his mission to travel the length and breadth of the country to obtain runs behind as many locomotives as possible. Armed with a Southern Region season ticket and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow devotees, Keith quickly amassed many catches and great mileage, but countless overnight and lengthy expeditions to the north of England and Scotland throughout the summer of 1966 were needed to complete the picture.
With a multitude of photographs, maps and notebook extracts, Chasing Steam in 1966 is a window into a bygone age. Join Keith on his 47,000-mile journey that takes in the demise of the Somerset & Dorset and ex-Great Central lines, and showcases the hunt for the handful of remaining Jubilees, capturing all the joys and frustrations of a great steam chase.
‘… a really vivid trip down memory lane to a long-vanished world.’
THE RAILWAY MAGAZINE,
‘Including many evocative monochrome images, the book certainly captures the frenetic pace of change during the year and is fascinating insight into our railway system as it used to be. This is true time travel – definitely recommended.’
THE RAILWAY MAGAZINE,
‘... continues the unashamed life story of a track_basher who set out to ride behind as many steam locomotives as he possibly could while they were dropping like flies.’
STEAM WORLD MAGAZINE,
17th December, 2015 in Transport & Industry
Travelling by steam train has to be one of the greatest pleasures of life. The steam locomotive, a vital cog of the nineteenth century industrial revolution, was undoubtedly one of man’s finest achievements. Monopolising the movement of both passenger and freight traffic througho…
