The Didcot Railway Centre shop stocks an extensive range of books on railway and other transport topics.
All of these items are available from the shop when the Centre is open, or by post from: Great Western Retail Sales, Didcot Railway Centre, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 7NJ.
If you wish to purchase any items by mail order please use our order form (56kb .pdf file).
You can telephone the shop, when the centre is open, on: +44 (0) 1235-817200 or email the Retail Manager.
We can accept payment by cheque, payable to ‘Great Western Retail Sales’ (unless otherwise indicated), or by credit card.
A selection of more recent items is shewn below:
The 'Peter's Railway' books are ideal for Children from about 6 to 12, as well as those adults who never grow up ! They tell the story of Peter and his Grandpa building and operating a miniature steam railway on a farm. The major part of the books is a story but there is also lots of simply explained technical, or how-it-works, information. Grandpa also tells some good stories from the old days on the railways. The books came about because the author realised that there was nothing to keep youngsters interested in railways or anything mechanical once they had grown out of the very young books.
Peter's Railway
Peter’s Railway is a story about a young boy who lives with his family in a cottage at the edge of his Grandpa’s farm. It is quite a long way by road between their two houses and Grandpa does not own a car. So to make visiting each other easier, they build a miniature steam railway across the farm.
Hardback, Chris Vine
Price: £15.45 (including UK postage)
Peter's Railway and the Moonlight Express
The story continues with Peter and his Grandpa building more track and equipment for their steam railway across the farm. As usual, Grandpa tells stories from the old railways.
Hardback, Chris Vine
Price: £15.45 (including UK postage)
Peter's Railway and the Forgotten Engine
With more stories and more clearly explained technical pages, Peter and Grandpa extend the line to Yockletts Village and find a long forgotten engine. Grandma has a lucky escape.....
Hardback, Chris Vine
Price: £15.45 (including UK postage)
How a Steam Locomotive Works
The new book has been written to provide a simple explanation of how a steam locomotive works. No other book on the market provides this level of detailed explanation aimed at a general
readership and is a perfect introduction. Packed with illuminations, diagrams which are clearly
and carefully explained and ideal for all those without technical background.
Hardback, Dominic Wells, Ian Allan
Price: £20.49 (including UK postage)
British Railway Atlas 1955
With 45 full pages of maps this is an invaluable reference work for all railway enthusaists and
historians. Out of print for some time, this pleasing atlas is now reissued due to popular demand.
Hardback, Nick Grant, Ian Allan
Price: £18.49 (including UK postage)
British Rail Standard Diesels of the 1960s (New June 2009)
The new book covers the standard diesel locomotive designs that were made during the early 1960s, including the class 33s, the 37s, the Hymeks, the Westerns and the Deltics, as well as the less successful Claytons. Exploring the background to the development of each class, the book provides an extended overview of diesel locomotive development of the period. Illustrated with many unseen photographs, this book will appeal to the growing number of diesel modellers and enthusiasts.
Hardback, David Clough, Ian Allan
Price: £23.49 (including UK postage)
Locomotives from the National Collection
Over 85 stunning colour illustrations appear in this new album, depicting the great variety of locomotives forming the National Collection. Most images record the engines in operation, either before they were secured for preservation or under the aegis of the N.R.M. P. Hardback. Waller & A. Butcher. Ian Allan.
Price: £18.49 (including UK postage)
A Decade of Change
An impressive large format photographic portrait of a changing decade of railway operation in scenic locations all around Britain. Detailed and informative captions bring life to the outstanding images. M. Darby et. al. Hardback. Ian Allan.
Price: £23.49 (including UK postage)
The Eastern Around London - A Colour Portfolio
This is the fourth and last in the ‘around London’ set of colour albums. The London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) was the largest of the ‘Big Four’ companies created by the Grouping on 1st January 1923.
Hardback, Kevin McCormack, Ian Allan
Price: £18.49 (including UK postage)
The Second Generation DMUs
A fantastic new book which offers railway enthusiasts a class by class study of all modern DMU designs for the first time.
Hardback, Colin Marsden, Ian Allan
Price: £28.49 (including UK postage)
British Railway Signalling Development in Colour for the Modeller and Historian
A bright new book exploring the wide variety of signalling infrastructure utilised by the railway industry, which gives modellers a unique reference source.
Paperback, Robert Hendry, Ian Allan
Price: £17.49 (including UK postage)
Railfreight in Colour for the Modeller and Historian
A fantastic new volume examining the many changes that have taken place on the rail freight scene over the past twenty years.
Paperback, David Cable, Ian Allan
Price: £17.49 (including UK postage)
Western Region Signalling in Colour
In the 1970s through to the mid 1980s, when life-expired semaphore signalling was being replaced with colour light signals, the author travelled round recording the threatened signal boxes. Hardback, Kevin Robertson. Ian Allan.
Price: £18.49 (including UK postage)
MALLARD and the A4 Class
No, we know it's not G.W.R. but this is a large and lavishly illustrated book, published to celebrate the anniversary of a rather memorable event of 3rd July 1938! Hardback. David McIntosh. Ian Allan.
Price: £20.49 (including UK postage)
Tunnel Vision
This is a masterful examination of the whole Channel Tunnel Rail Link project from start to finish both in terms of construction and operation, with fantastic colour photographs illustrating the text. Paperback. Ken Cordner. Ian Allan.
Price: £17.49 (including UK postage)
Level Crossings
For the reader who thinks he has everything — a comprehensive account of the history and development of the level crossing and all the safety issues surrounding them in the current day and age. This is the first time this subject has been covered in such great depth, written by a former BR Board Signalling and Safety Officer. Hardback. S. Hall. Ian Allan.
Price: £23.49 (including UK postage)
The Power of the Kings
This new title explores the class in depth and is supplemented by a fine collection of images capturing the locomotives in their many guises throughout their career. An ideal source of information for anyone wanting to learn about these famous engines.
Hardback, Lawrence Waters, Ian Allan
Price: £23.49 (including UK postage)
The Changing Railway Scene: Southern Region
The third book in a new series featuring the evolution of the railway scene on a regional basis, which now focuses on the Southern Region. Drawing upon a wealth of unpublished material Southern expert Kevin Robertson examines the various types of trains which evolved during the twenty years from Nationalisation through to the final demise of main line steam in 1968. This book covers everything railway modellers and historians could wish to know about the Southern Region in an easy accessible style.
Hardback, Kevin Robertson, Ian Allan
Price: £20.49 (including UK postage)
London Railway Atlas 2nd Edition
First published to critical acclaim in 2006, this brand new updated edition of the London Railway Atlas will be warmly welcomed by all enthusiasts. The book gives detailed mapping of the myriad of lines which traverse the city including both London Underground and ex BR Networks. Each map illustrates the geographical relationship between the overground and underground network, information which will be invaluable for modellers. This volume shows all the lines, both open and closed, as well as stations with updated opening and closing dates plus any name changes. A comprehensive atlas proving to be an indispensable work of reference to railway enthusiasts and London historians. The fully revised new edition will continue to be required reading.
Hardback, Joe Brown, Ian Allan
Price: £20.49 (including UK postage)
High Speed Trains For The 21st Century
Colin Marsden provides top quality coverage of this new generation of high speed trains as they continue to transform services across the country. A high quality addition to existing literature on modern high speed trains with a wealth of colourful images illustrating their life and times into the 21st century, this is a must have buy for all the followers of the modern scene.
Hardback, Colin J Marsden, Ian Allan
Price: £18.49 (including UK postage)
Diesel Decades: 1990s
In this new book the author builds upon his previous work Blue Diesel Days, to provide a vivid pictorial record of the diesel scene on Britain’s railways during the decade that saw the most significant changes to the national railway industry for more than fifty years, catering for the demands of the growing band of dedicated diesel enthusiasts. This is a lively and informative read.
Hardback, Paul Shannon, Ian Allan
Price: £20.49 (including UK postage)
Country Railway Routes: Hertford Loop, from the Suburbs to the Country
The Enfield branch was extended north to form the Hertford Loop and thus create a diversionary route for the main line to King's Cross. The centre part has reached its centenary of opening and the concept has proved to have been a great success confirmed by the variety of trains shown.
Hardback, Vic Mitchell & Keith Smith, Middleton Press.
Price: £19.45 (including UK postage)
Branch Lines East of Norwich, the Wherry Lines
The fascinating changes on these intereting routes are fully illustrated and you can travel via Acle or Reedham. Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft are the destinations. At the former, you can enjoy the street tramway carrying assorted freight.
Hardback, Richard Adderson & Graham Kenworthy, Middleton Press.
Price: £19.45 (including UK postage)
Western Main Lines: Shrewsbury to Chester
Once part of the GWR's Didcot to Birkenhead route, this line carried heavy coal traffic from the mines in the Wrexham area. The many charming rural stations are illustrated along with a wide range of trains of all types and ages.
Hardback, Vic Mitchell & Keith Smith, Middleton Press.
Price: £19.45 (including UK postage)
Western Main Lines: Barmouth to Pwllheli
This much loved route is set between the seashore and the mountains, which adds to the pleasure of seeing trains from most eras providing the local service. The fondly remembered 'Cambrian Coast Express' puts in several appearances.
Hardback, Vic Mitchell & Keith Smith, Middleton Press
Price: £19.45 (including UK postage)
Western Main Lines: Shrewsbury to Newtown, including Minsterley, Snailbeach & Kerry
A journey into the centre of Wales with photos from many eras. Includes two long-closed branches and Snailbeach District Railway to various quarries.
Hardback, Vic Mitchell and Keith Smith, Middleton Press.
Price: £18.45 (including UK postage)
Eastern Main Lines: King's Cross to Potters Bar
An icon of the railway world, Kings Cross is examined in detail through the ages, as are the trains which have used it. The evolution of the route northwards is explained with detailed maps, plus photographs of all periods.
Hardback, Charlie & Jim Connor, Middleton Press
Price: £19.45 (including UK postage)
Midland Main Lines: Birmingham to Wolverhampton, via Tipton
Hardback, Vic Mitchell and Keith Smith, Middleton.
Price: £17.45 (including UK postage)
Country Railway Routes - Banbury to Cheltenham via Chipping Norton
Few travelled the entire length of this charming rural route, owing to the sparseness of the service and the rarity of through trains. Here is the opportunity to savour the scenic setting of many of the country stations and to enjoy the classic GWR trains, exclusively steam.
Hardback, Vic Mitchell & Keith Smith, Middleton Press
Price: £19.45 (including UK postage)
Country Railway Routes: Consett To South Shields, via Beamish
The Consett to South Shields line was built in 1834 as a coal railway. Even when early inclines were replaced by deviations the gradients were severe. Iron ore trains storming the banks to Consett attracted many enthusiasts. Beamish is now the site of a major open air museum reliving the achievements of the north east.
Hardback, Roger R Darsley, Middleton Press
Price: £19.45 (including UK postage)
Country Railway Routes: Craven Arms to Wellington, including the Madeley Route
The route runs between the 1852 Shrewsbury & Hereford Railway (GWR/LNWR joint), crosses the 1862 Severn Valley Railway (to Hartlebury) at Buildwas, and continues on the 1849 Shrewsbury & Birmingham Railway to Wellington, which became part of the GWR in 1872.
Hardback, Vic Mitchell and Keith Smith, Middleton.
Price: £18.45 (including UK postage)
Country Railway Routes: Craven Arms to Llandeilo, The Heart of Wales Line
The photographs of this journey convey the pastoral charm of this fascinating route as it passes through the countryside from the Welsh Marches towards the industrial regions of South Wales.
Hardback, John Organ, Middleton.
Price: £18.45 (including UK postage)
Country Railway Routes: Reading to Guildford
Reprint - first published in 1988.
Hardback, Vic Mitchell and Keith Smith, Middleton.
Price: £18.45 (including UK postage)
Branch Lines Around Ross-on-Wye
Includes a journey from Hereford to Grange Court, the Forest of Dean to Cinderford, Drybrook and Blakeney Goods Depot and finally a run from Ross to Lydbrook Junction.
Hardback, Vic Mitchell and Keith Smith, Middleton.
Price: £18.45 (including UK postage)
Branch Lines around Lydney, including Coleford and Lydbrook
Hardback, Vic Mitchell and Keith Smith, Middleton.
Price: £17.45 (including UK postage)
Branch Lines Around Towcester: the S & MJR Routes
Linking Blisworth, Banbury, Broom & Olney, the S & MJR name lives on, as does the fascination for a route not noted for passengers, but more for Midland iron ore to South Wales and Avonmouth bananas to London.
Hardback, Vic Mitchell and Keith Smith, Middleton.
Price: £18.45 (including UK postage)
Branch Lines Around Oswestry
The complex history, the scenic joys and the important minerals combine to make this fascinating series of photographs. The Great Western is evident in many of the views from a forgotten past.
Hardback, Vic Mitchell & Keith Smith, Middleton Press
Price: £19.45 (including UK postage)
Branch Lines Around Spalding, M&GN Saxby to Long Sutton
The author lived and worked on the route and thus gives us an insight into the operation of the line, dwelling on the fascinating architectural details. Much of the traffic was local produce but there was one regular long distance express which also receives detailed attention.
Hardback, Michael Black, Middleton Press
Price: £19.45 (including UK postage)
Welsh Valleys: Rhymney & New Tredegar Lines
At the head of the Rhymney Valley were two almost parallel lines, one of which is illustrated in detail. Maps of various scales help to tell their story and the ways in which they served the community.
Hardback, Vic Mitchell & Keith Smith, Middleton Press
Price: £19.45 (including UK postage)
Narrow Gauge Branch Lines: Welshpool to Llanfair, Featuring the lost connection
Late into the railway scene, this 20th century railway backwater lasted a little over fifty years but less than thirty for passengers. Sadly lost forever was the line through the streets of Welshpool and so large parts of the album are devoted to this unusual and long lost by way.
Hardback, Vic Mitchell & Keith Smith, Middleton Press
Price: £19.45 (including UK postage)
Tramway Clasics: Blackpool Tramways 1933-66, 75 years of Streamliners
This title commemorates 75 years since the entry into service of the first of a fleet of streamlined trams. Most of the tram fleet in Blackpool today is derived from these 1930s designs.
Hardback, Stephen Lockwood, Middleton.
Price: £18.45 (including UK postage)
Fernhurst Cylinders and the Defeat of Napoleon
The Napoleonic Wars brought an unexpected revival of charcoal production in the Fernhurst area, years after local iron making had ceased. Large quantities of vinegar were made at the same time. Herein are the explanations for those curious occurrences, together with diagrams of the equipment.
Softback, Vic Mitchell, Middleton Press
Price: £18.45 (including UK postage)
‘Over the Alps’ on the Watercress Line
Realising a boyhood dream in the 21st century.
Paperback, John Richardson, Oakwood
Price: £14.45 (including UK postage)
The Burry Port & Gwendreath Valley Railway & Its Antecedent Canals Vol. 2
The Railway and Dock.
Paperback, R. W. Miller, Oakwood
Price: £22.45 (including UK postage)
The Anstruther & St. Andrews Railway
The continuing story of the East Fife Railways dealing with the fascinating and often tortuous history of one of the least prosperous and most ill-fated of all of the small companies.
Paperback, A. Hajducki, Oakwood
Price: £18.45 (including UK postage)
Rails to Newquay: Railways-Tramways-Town-Transport
Treffrey and Newquay tramways and the Cornwall Mineral Railway - 288 pages and 300 illustrations.
Paperback, John Vaughan, Oakwood
Price: £20.45 (including UK postage)
Sir William McAlpine
A tale of Sir William’s involvement with locomotives, carriage and conservation.
Paperback, John Chacksfield, Oakwood Press
Price: £13.45 (including UK postage)
The Railway Photographs of P.W. Pilcher
An album of photographs taken between 1880s and 1930s, including GWR, from the collection of the railway photographer P.W. Pilcher, many in the Shrewsbury area.
Paperback, David J. Patrick, LNWR Society
Price: £12.45 (including UK postage)
Laira Fireman
Footplate Recollections of a GWR Fireman.
Hardback, Philip Rundle, Irwell Press.
Price: £23.45 (including UK postage)
Rails to Ripley
A new large format pictorial history of the Midland Railway lines that once served the Derbyshire town of Ripley. Packed with a wealth of information and previously unseen photographs, the first book ever to be written on the railway lines of this area.
Softback, Howard Sprenger, Kestrel Railway Books
Price: £20.45 (including UK postage)
The Salisbury & Dorset Junction Railway
This brilliant new book provides a complete history of an important line and the area surrounding it. With a vast amount of detailed information illustrated by a carefully selected collection of vivid images, this book is certain to be essential reading for railway enthusiasts nationwide.
Softback, Nigel Bray, Kestrel Railway Books
Price: £20.45 (including UK postage)
A History of the London & Birmingham Railway Volume Two: Bletchley To Rugby
This second volume of a history of the London & Birmingham Railway concerns a section of landscape from Bletchley to Rugby, high on the uplands of central England with the challenging prospect of Kilsby Ridge.
Paperback, Peter Richards and Bill Simpson, Lamplight
Price: £21.45 (including UK postage)
Great Western Road Vehicles Part II
Alan Earnshaw continues the pictorial examination of the fleet with unpublished pictures.
Paperback, Alan Earnshaw, Nostalgia Road
Price: £11.45 (including UK postage)
Archibald Sturrock: Pioneer Locomotive Engineer
Paperback. Portrait Format. Tony Vernon. Tempus.
Price £17.49 (including UK postage)
The Fair Sex. Women and the Great Western Railway
Paperback. Portrait Format. Rosa Matheson. Tempus.
Price £15.49 (including UK postage)
A Triumph of Restoration: Oxford Rewley Road Station
Paperback. Landscape Format. Lance Adlam & Bill Simpson. Lamplight.
Price £12.45 (including UK postage)
In the Tracks of the “ACE” The Destruction of the Southern Network West of Salisbury
Paperback, Square Format. Jeffrey Grayer. Noodle Books.
Price £13.45 (including UK postage)
Devonport Dockyard Railway
Not a recent title (2nd Impression 2002), but as Didcot now owns a remarkable mixed gauge turntable from the Cornwall Railway days circa 1868, donated by the Dockyard, the title may be of interest. From its origins in 1860, this unique railway system quickly expanded to link three separate yards to the national network. At its zenith, more than twenty miles of trackwork were in constant use with, at one time or another, up to thirty steam locomotives. This is the definitive history with 200 illustrations. Hardback, Paul Burkhalter. Twelveheads.
Price: £28.50 (including UK postage)
Broad Gauge Locomotives
An outstanding volume covering for the first time every broad gauge locomotive ever operated in Britain - GWR and ‘Associated Companies’, independent lines, industrial concerns and railway contractors. Paperback, Geoff Sheppard/Broad Gauge Society.
Price: £14.45 (including UK postage)
The Lambourn Branch - Revisited
A Unique perspective on an historic branch with a wealth of new material - with many undiscovered facts and unpublished photographs. Paperback. Kevin Robertson
Price: £14.45 (including UK postage)
The Railways of Pembrokeshire
Originally written by John Morris and Published in 1981, this is a fully revised and extended edition of what was regarded as the definitive history of railway development in West Wales. There are numerous photos never before seen. Hardback, Richard Parker.
Price: £28.50 (including UK postage)
Two Centuries of Railway Signalling
A new and fully updated revised 2nd edition of this definitive overview of Britain's railway signalling history. Hardback, Alan Williams & Geoffrey Kichenside.
Price: £28.49 (including UK postage)
The Changing Railway Scene - Western Region
A comprehensive look at the many diverse changes that affected the Western Region during its long and illustrious life from the 1955 Modernisation Plan through to 1986. Hardback. Laurence Waters.
Price: £20.49 (including UK postage)
BR Blue No. 2 - Western Region South & West
A new colour album featuring the former Western Region through the decades of great change and development, recording an era which has now disappeared entirely. Paperback. John Dedman.
Price: £13.45 (including UK postage)
Railway Voices of Swindon Works
An affectionate record of life inside ‘the factory’ - interviews and extracts from workers throughout all departments and eras. The author has also written books on the annual Swindon ‘trips’ and the employment of women in the G.W.R. Paperback. Rosa Matheson.
Price: £15.49 (including UK postage)
The Bideford, Westward Ho! & Appledore Railway
: Originally planned and built as a normal railway, the first part of this line was actually a street tramway before it ventured out into the countryside as a light railway, although the word ‘Light’ never appeared in its title. The author has researched and discovered much new material not previously seen in print. Hardback. Rod Garner. Kestrel.
Price: £21.45 (including UK postage)
Didcot Steam Apprentice
After leaving school at the age of 15, the author became in turn, a fitter’s boy and a full apprentice at Didcot Depot. His training involved not only work in the Lifting Shop at Didcot, but also spells at Old Oak Common, Reading Depot, Swindon Works and, as a qualified fitter and turner, at Oxford shed in 1966, before leaving the railway. 150 photographs support his entertaining account of these years, most never before published. Patrick Kelly. Paperback. Silver Link.
Price: £20.49 (including UK postage)
Through the Window: The Great Western Railway from Paddington to Penzance
Originally published by the GWR in 1924, this beautifully written book describes more than a wonderful railway journey for it allows us a look at the great swathe of southern Britain that was well served by that railway. This new edition has 20 pages of Bradshaw’s timetables to help you plan your journey in the great days of steam. hardback. Old House Books.
Price: £14.49 (including UK postage)
The Leader Project - Fiasco or Triumph?
This new volume, which represents the last word on the subject, will be required reading for all those interested in the development of the steam locomotive in the 20th century and fascinated by the career of Oliver Bulleid, one of Britain’s most enigmatic and controversial locomotive designers.
Paperback, Kevin Robertson, OPC
Price: £15.49 (including UK postage)
For the King’s Service — Railway Ships at War
In two World Wars, nearly 200 railway-owned ships were converted to operate as troop carriers, whilst others carried on normal sailings in a world suddenly more dangerous than before; this book tells their story.
Hardback, A.J. Mullay, Pendragon
Price: £28.50 (including UK postage)
Waterloo to Southampton by Steam
Those familiar with Bruce’s photography will be aware of its vibrant style which is seen to good effect in this new book; summer days, smoke effects and lineside views all seen to best effect.
Paperback, Bruce Oliver, Kevin Robertson Noodle Books
Price: £19.45 (including UK postage)
George Heiron’s Southern Collection - Waterloo to Ilfracombe
Now gathered together for the very first time is a treasure trove of what is the very best of George Heiron’s black and white SR selection covering Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Salisbury and the Ilfracombe area.
Hardback, Bruce Murray, Kevin Robertson Noodle Books
Price: £17.45 (including UK postage)
From Dean to Churchward
A selection of photographs of the Great Western Railway taken by Robert Brookman between 1899-1922.
Paperback, Glyn Williams, Edward Talbot
Price: £20.50 (including UK postage)
The North & West Route Vol. Two — Shrewsbury & Hereford
This second volume considers the fifty mile joint LMR/WR route between the southern outskirts of Shrewsbury and the various facilities at Barton and Barr’s Court in Hereford.
Hardback, John Hodge, Wild Swan
Price: £33.45 (including UK postage)
Poster To Poster: Railway Journeys in Art Vol 1 Scotland
The first volume in a series of seven comprehensive books on railway posters, this 230+ page book will feature Scotland with six other regional books to follow over the next three years. This large format book will include more than 330 Scottish posters, many previously unpublished in books. We take a railway journey around Scotland showcasing both the posters and the stunning Scottish scenery.
Hardback, Richard Furness, JDF
Price: £38.50 (including UK postage)
A new book to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Great Western Society at Didcot Railway Centre. It includes a fascinating insight into Didcot's development as a railway junction, before the Society's arrival, with a lavishly illustrated account of the developments that have taken place over the last 40 years.
Written by Michael H.C.Baker, who has been editor of the Society's journal Great Western Echo since 1973 and another long standing member John Villers.
ISBN 1-900467-34-8. Hardback, landscape format. 104 pages with 296 illustrations.
Price: £16.95 (including post & packing within UK, add £2.50 from Europe, £5.00 rest of world).
Please make cheques payable to ‘The Didcot Story’.
The long accepted ‘facts’ of locomotive history are sometimes almost pure fiction in their representation of what happened. Over the last fifteen years it has been accepted that there is still a great deal to discover. This is no less true of the GWR than any other railway and the author takes advantage of new research to re-examine several well known episodes from Swindon's history and puts them under close inspection which brings to light surprising new information about one of Britain's greatest railway works.
Written by L.A.Summers this book has been published by the Great Western Society, and is available only from the Didcot Railway Centre shop.
Softback, portrait format. 156 pages with well over 100 illustrations, many of which have never appeared in print or have not been seen for many years.
Price: £14.14 (including UK postage).