The Book of the Crabs Part 1- The LMS Hughes-Fowler 2-6-0s 42700-42809

Latest in the longstanding 'Book Of' series, in two parts to adequately cover the great number of locomotives involved (245 no less). The story begins with the Crabs as a new concept at the time of the Grouping; a powerful modern Mixed Traffic loco intended as the precursor of a standard range and how the concept turned to dust in early LMS internal machinations. All the usual works histories and allocations are here for every loco, together with the devil in the detail down to the merest rivet, from liveries and tender varieties, brakes and lubrication, to experimental valve gear and every other facet of these mightily impressive moguls.