Steam at Work

The author, Fred Kerr, was introduced to the world of industrial railways in 1956 when his parents moved from Edinburgh to Corby in Northamptonshire, where the local steelworks offered a mix of locomotives from several manufacturers. When steam traction finished on BR in August 1968, Fred's interest in railways continued with diesel and electric traction, whilst retaining a passing interest in industrial locomotives through his visits to the heritage lines which were initiated in the post-Beeching era.

When the author converted to digital photography in 2001, he visited many heritage lines as he sought to gain experience in the digital world. When he looked back after a decade of digital photography, he noted that industrial locomotives were still at work on many heritage lines throughout the UK. He also noted that during the 1960s the effort to preserve main-line steam traction had overlooked the availability of industrial locomotives, leading to the scrapping of many locomotives with both a story to tell and an incomplete working life.

The result is a book that pays tribute to industrial locomotives which are still at work by detailing the manufacturers of these work-horses and the locomotives which they built; identifying their working lives where possible; showing their entry into preservation and paying tribute to those heritage lines which appreciated the value of these unsung heroes of the Industrial Revolution by buying the 'scrap' locomotives then restoring them to working order.

About the Author

Fred Kerr is a life-long railway enthusiast who was born in Edinburgh in 1948 and moved to Corby in 1956, where he was introduced to industrial locomotives operating in the local steelworks. Whilst more familiar with main-line locomotives, his conversion to digital photography in 2001 saw him renew his interest in industrial locomotives, especially those still working at the many heritage sites throughout the UK which he visits as and when the opportunity arises. He is currently a life member of the A4 Preservation Society; The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and The Ribble Steam Railway.

150 illustrations