Flying Scotsman Hardback – 246 pages. Author Andrew Roden ISBN 978-1-84513-241-5

Contrary to popular belief reviewers do read review copies and this is a book you cannot put down. It traces the history of the LNER from its early days as the Great Northern Railway through the traumas of the Grouping & Nationalisation right up to the present day. Running like a golden thread throughout the book is the fabulous story of the most famous railway locomotive ever built, Flying Scotsman. Not only was it superbly beautiful, but was for a time the holder of the worlds speed record and ran from London to Edinburgh 392 miles non-stop, itself a world record. It was the genius of Sir Nigel Gresley who dreamed up the Corridor Tender, again a world first. Purchased by Alan Pegler, a member of the BR board in 1963 she was saved from the scrapmans torch and has led a charmed life, sum would say cursed, ever since. She bankrupted Alan Pegler and brought many more very very close. Now finally saved for the nation by the NRM she is currently half way through a 10 year overhaul that should see her resume mainline running in 2009 to the joy of railway enthusiasts everywhere.

£14.99 Aurum Press Limited

Colin Usher