New book delves into South Yorkshire's golden age of steam

Bob Pixton takes readers on a journey through time and back to the Sheffield steam train era with his new book, Sheffield Main Line ServicesFrom the M S & L R Period to British Railways.

This historical research book shines a light on one of the country’s best loved railway companies in the days of steam, says publisher Pen and Sword, with a volume of a new and exciting series consisting of maps, charts, timetables and photographs all used to give the reader a sense of a journey in time along the various lines that the GCR controlled.

Author Bob is a WW2 ‘Baby Boomer’, spending his early days around Manchester’s stations and sheds. The impressions of youth persisted, despite his parents moving to the heart of GWR territory.

His working career has almost exclusively been in the public sector in health, education, local democracy and youth justice. His numerous published works have mostly been line histories, often in several volumes, their extensive captions and picture selection are the result of dedicated research, in this case, of over a decade.

He said: “The movement of coal is another of the dominant themes in South Yorkshire centred on Wath marshalling yard, wagons went west, up the notorious Worsborough incline to Penistone and then via the Woodhead tunnel, Mottram Yard to Godley on their journey enroute for Liverpool and Manchester.

"Another stream of wagons was east passing, the mecca for all GC enthusiasts, Mexborough, and onto the Doncaster avoiding line then eastto cross the River Trent at Keadby. Lines from the ‘Coal Capital’ of South Yorkshire, Barnsley to Sheffield, Wakeffield and Penistone are looked at in the new book.”

His book is a volume of a new and exciting series illustrating one of the country's best loved railway companies in the days of steam.It consists of maps, charts, timetables and photographs are used to give the reader a sense of a journey in time along the various lines that the GCR controlled. The hardback book is out now priced £30 click here to buy a copy

Want more Sheffield retro? On the buses in Sheffield

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