Southern Steam Recollections: A Portrait of the Last Years

By Don Benn

This collection of historic photographs showcases the steam trains of England’s Southern Railway from Devon and Cornwall to Wimbledon and beyond.
 
Train enthusiast Don Benn photographed steam locomotives along England’s Southern Railway from 1960 until steam engines were retired in 1967. In his most prolific years, between 1961 and 1963, Benn captured the last of the classic ex Southern Railway designs, such as the King Arthurs, Lord Nelson and Schools classes. Beloved trains such as the Bournemouth Belle and Lymington Pier boat trains are shown to good effect.
 
The 150 black and white photos presented in this volume, many published here for the first time, span the Southern Region from the east to the ‘withered arm’ in Devon and Cornwall. Special focus is paid to the areas just south and south west of London, including such historic locations as the footpaths at South Croydon and Wimbledon.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Nov 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9781526726919

Don Benn

Don Benn was born in South London and developed a love of trains and steam locomotives from an early age. Most of his career was spent in the transport industry, both public and private sector, including owning and running his own bus company. He spent many hours covering the end of Southern Steam and, following this chased down remaining steam in Europe but also developing a serious interest in so called modern traction. Since retirement in 2008 he has worked part time for a number of transport companies, writes a monthly column for a railway magazine and has written a number of books. He lives with his wife near Southampton, close to his two granddaughters.