British Rail Traction Maintenance Depots 1974-1993 Part 1: Northern England

An illustrated journey round British Rail’s traction maintenance depots and stabling points, recalling an era when Shed Bashing was a popular pursuit amongst railway enthusiasts. Railway photographer and author Michael Rhodes visited many of these fascinating locations between 1974 & 1993. Armed with his camera and notebook, he captured the inner recesses and outer reaches of these captivating places, recording the traction of the day, which powered the freight and passenger trains of the 1970s, 80s and early 90s. Using extracts from his detailed records, this book reveals the sheer quantity of locomotives that could be seen at depots and stabling points at the time. Many of the locations depicted are now long-gone, as are the industries they supported, such as coal mining and steel making. Other locations have survived but they now look very different. This pictorial collection provides a visual and descriptive insight into what was to be found at the national operator’s depots over a two-decade period.