The gradual growth of the railways in Britain during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, in both passenger and freight traffic, saw the requirement for a more powerful and versatile type of motive power ? mixed traffic locomotives. The construction of Great Western Halls and Modified Halls gave the Great Western a superb all round locomotive, and for thirty-six years they operated passenger and freight services over the Great Western, and later Western Region. The Hall class were among the largest mixed traffic steam locomotives that ran throughout this country, and this is the first serious volume to focus on them in fifty years. The book charts the history of both classes, from their construction and withdrawal, to their design, development and eventual scrapping. With over 200 black and white, and colour photographs, accompanied by informative captions, each member of the classes is excellently illustrated. It will appeal greatly to those interested in the history of Great Western Locomotive development. AUTHOR: A retired professional photographer and photography teacher. He has a special interest in local history, particularly local transport. He has an Oxford University Undergraduate Diploma in English Local History. Over recent years he has written, or contributed as co-author to a number of local history books. His main interest is the Great Western Railway, and the Western Region, and he has written a number of books on the subject. He is currently the Honorary photographic archivist of the Great Western Trust at Didcot Railway centre. SELLING POINTS: ? This is the first serious volume on the Great Western Hall and Modified Hall classes, in fifty years. ? The book covers all the members of both classes, including construction and withdrawal, from their design and development to eventual scrapping. ? The Halls were probably one of the largest and most successful classes of mixed traffic steam Locomotive ever to run in Britain. 150 b/w and 50 colour photos
