Some Good Railway Books

After each book is a score rating in percentage. This is purely my personal opinion, so don't go blaming anybody else!

• Bermingham, Peter L: The ML2 Story: The history of Victorian Railways' famous B Class diesel-electric locomotive, Wilke and Company Limited, 1982
  A very well presented book, decked out with full-colour photos, giving the history of Victoria's first main line diesel-electric locomotives. Includes details of advantages of diesel over steam, the search for the right type, modifications to the basic US design, manufacture in Australia, service life, and rejuvenation (conversion to A-class standard). Very highly recommended!
  Rating: 100%
• Also: The A7 Era, about the S-class locos.
• Arkell, William; Richards, David; McInroy, Andrew and Anderson, Stewart: Liveries in the Landscape, Daws Publications, 1999
  Highly attractive, the whole book is in full colour and glossy, and the quality of the photos is great. Includes details of privatisation, standard gauge links, line closures, and much more!
  Rating: 100%
• Oberg, Leon: Motive Power: The Development of Modern Australian Locomotives, Kangaroo Press, Kenthurst NSW, 1995
  A really great book for beginners or more advanced rail enthusiasts. Diesel locomotives are arranged by era and manufacturer instead of state, which means that similar engines (eg the 81, BL and G-class) come up together. Includes all small industrial and privately owned locos as well as government railways. Includes technological background eg how Clyde/GM "Super Series" wheel slip correction works.
  Rating: 100%
• Dare, John: A Changing Decade: A Pictorial Book Published to Illustrate the Changing Scenes on the Victorian Railways during the decade 1970 to 1979, ARHS Vic, Melbourne, 1986
  A really great book telling about the changes which came to the Victorian railway scene in the 1970s. Opens with a year-by-year overview of the highlights, then presents several very good photos arranged by topic, with informative captions and dates on all of them. Subjects: Demise of regular steam service; Steam cranes; Passenger services; Holiday period passenger trains; The Suburban area; Special trains; Freight services; Block trains; Moving the Wheat; Works; Line closures; Foreign Locomotives; Accidents and other problems; Steam preservation; Displays and Celebrations; Unusual workings. Also contains a map of the VR/VicRail network for 1970-79.
  Rating: 99%
• Malpass, Steve; Dare, John; Jenkin, Ian: A Vintage Year for Steam - AusSteam '88 and Flying Scotsman in Australia, ARHS Vic, Melbourne, 1992
  It truly was a great time to be a steam enthusiast, when the Flying Scotsman took a world trip to take part in Australia's Bicentennary celebrations in 1988. This book tells the whole story, from the first glimmerings of an idea until the Scotsman was put back on the ship to return to England. Includes plenty of technical data, and heaps of easy reading. Great photos, colour and black & white. (Some are on special from ARHS Sales for $5 at exhibitions - a real bargain!)
  Rating: 99%
• Oberg, Leon: Locomotives of Australia, AH & AW Reed, Sydney, 1975
  A concise history of almost every locomotive to run in Australia (up to the date of publishing), steam, diesel and electric. Includes locos used by private railways before they became government departments, and locos used by private operators such as BHP, Silverton, Australian Iron & Steel, etc. Ends with a summary of preservation of each class. Includes some technical details and pictures. I'm told there's an updated version around too.
  Rating: 99%
• Awdry, Rev W and Christopher: The Railway Series (featuring Thomas the Tank Engine)
  For someone new to the great world of railways, these books contain all the necessary information to gain a nodding acquaintance with all the basic terms. These were my firm favourites from when I was two years old, and I still enjoy them. Please don't make the mistake of thinking them only suitable for young children - that's the TV series. (Moral: Never judge a book by its movie!) The original books are great for everyone.
  Rating: 95%
• Dornan, S.E. and Henderson, R.G.: The Electric Railways of Victoria, Australian Electric Traction Association, Sydney, 1979
  All about Melbourne's spark system! How good can you get? This book also covers the line to Gippsland, electrified in the 1950s for coal traffic. Heaps of detail, including technical stuff.
  Rating: 95%