A history of the development of railway signalling, from the earliest days through the introduction of the disc and crossbar signal, to semphores and color lights and the modern communications systems of the 1990s.

This textbook covers the very wide spectrum of all aspects of railway engineering for all engineering disciplines, in a 'broad brush' way giving a good overall knowledge of what is involved in planning, designing, constructing and maintaining a railway. It covers all types of railway systems including light rail and metro as well as main line. The first edition has proved very popular both with students new to railways and with practicing engineers who need to work in this newly expanding area.In the second edition, the illustrations have been improved and brought up to date, particularly with the introduction of 30 colour pages which include many newly taken photographs. The text has been reviewed for present day accuracy and, where necessary, has been modified or expanded to include reference to recent trends or developments. New topics include automatic train control, level crossings, dot matrix indicators, measures for the mobility impaired, reinforced earth structures, air conditioning, etc. Recent railway experience, both technical and political, has also been reflected in the commentary.

'A lifetime of railway love distilled into a most beautiful volume' Lucy Worsley 'The most attractive, comprehensive and easily digestible history of the oldest railway system in the world' Michael Palin In 1825 the Stockton & Darlington company strode into history with the opening of the world's first public steam railway. What the S&DR had pioneered soon picked up speed, transforming lives and landscapes, connecting far-flung corners of the nation and creating its own distinctive environments and working worlds. This ambitious and lavishly illustrated volume brings the story of Britain's railways to life, spanning two centuries of achievement and change. Full of colour and incident, it is an exhilarating journey through time and space, revisiting favourite themes and introducing unfamiliar stories and places. With original and engaging entries on everything from dining saloons to collecting dogs, wartime salvage efforts and the iconic Rail Alphabet, Simon Bradley gives George Bradshaw's famous 19th century guide a run for its money in this fresh and distinctive chronicle of the making of Britain's railways.

The permanent way is a principal feature of all railways, but is little explored. Jim Pike's illustrated history fills this gap in railway literature. He investigates the origins and evolution of track from the earliest wooden rails to the welded steel used today. He looks at engineering developments, at methods of manufacture, and at successful innovations over the last 200 years. This account is full of fascinating insights into this important but neglected topic. It is written in an engaging, non-technical style, and will be illuminating reading and reference for anyone who loves railways and is intrigued by their history.

When the "Railway Magazine" of January 2000 published the results of its Millennium Poll, Sir Vincent Raven gained a 42nd place, along with Thomas Newcomen and Arthur Peppercorn. This is the biography of this engineer, illustrated with contemporary archive photographs, portraits and ephemera.

Overregulated and displaced by barges, trucks, and jet aviation, railroads fell into decline. Their misfortune was measured in lost market share, abandoned track, bankruptcies, and unemployment. Today, rail transportation is reviving. American Railroads tells a riveting story about how this iconic industry managed to turn itself around.