East of England steam 1948-1963

One of the first areas to see the end of steam was the East of England - around 120 years after the first steam locomotives ran.

Over this period, a rich history was developed through the construction of the various routes, the engines used and services offered. East of England Steam 1948-1963 examines the last years of steam in the region using over 200 excellent colour and black-and-white images from a number of sources. With an area over 7,000 square miles, the East of England region consists Bedfordshire; Cambridgeshire; Essex; Hertfordshire; Huntingdonshire; Norfolk; Suffolk.

Some of the towns and cities incorporated in the area are: Norwich; Ipswich; Colchester; Cambridge; Peterborough; Bedford; Yarmouth; Ely; King's Lynn; Lowestoft; March. The East Coast Main Line bordered the region in the west, whilst the two primary routes left Liverpool Street, London, to Ipswich, Norwich and the coast, and Cambridge, Ely and King's Lynn.

Being a predominantly rural area, there were several branch lines, many of which no longer exist. Great Eastern Railway locomotive classes are featured: B12; D16/3; E4; F4; F5; F6; J15; J17; J19; J20; N7.

Also included are Gresley's B17s, K3s and J39s, as well as Thompson's B1/B2 and L1.

Under British Railway many of the new Standard Class 7 'Britannia' Pacifics took over on the main line expresses and boat trains and these are present.

The Midland & Great Northern Joint Line benefitted from the introduction of Ivatt Class 4MT 2-6-0s during the final decade of the route's existence. The locomotives are pictured at stations, junctions, points from the lineside and sheds, both large and small. East of England Steam 1948-1963 shows the railways enjoying their final years in an almost forgotten time of English history.