 Finial Publishing Home Page |
The magazines we have produced |
Some of the books we have produced |
Who we are and where you can contact us |
|
Produced by Finial Publishing on behalf of the Drummond Locomotive
Society, this fascinating publication tells the story of M7 Class
0-4-4 tank engine No.30053 (or 53 as the locomotive was originally
numbered by the London & South Western Railway). Designed
by Dugald Drummond, No.53 was built at the LSWR's Nine Elms Locomotive
Works in 1905. Of the 105 Class M7 engines built, two remain
in preservation today, Nos.53 and 245, the latter as a static
exhibit at the National Railway Museum in York. At the demise
of steam in 1964, No.30053 languished at Eastleigh until, in
a surprise move, it was purchased for display at the Steamtown
Railway Museum, Bellows Falls, Vermont, USA, departing British
shores in April 1967. Purchased by the Drummond Locomotive Society,
No.30053 again crossed the Atlantic in April 1987 when restoration
commenced and eventually the locomotive moved under its own steam
again in April 1992. Based now at the Swanage Railway in Dorset,
where it once worked in pre-preservation days, this unique locomotive
is now active on both main line rail tours and many of the UK's
preserved railways. Expicitly told in words and lavishly illustrated with both colour and black-and-white photographs taken over the years (most never published before), the book, as well as providing a detailed history, describes the efforts that went into the repatriation of the locomotive from the USA and the huge amount of effort required to bring the locomotive up to main line running standards. |
|
Finial Publishing Home Page |
The magazines we have produced |
Some of the books we have produced |
Who we are and where you can contact us |