The last of the Western Regions diesel-hydraulic classes of main-line locomotives to enter service the Westerns (or Class 52s) were first to enter traffic in December 1961. The most powerful of the hydraulics by some margin the 74 members of the class were all in service by December 1963 having been constructed by Swindon & Crewe works. Used on the Westerns main-line passenger services following the demise of steam the class was eventually to see service on a wide range of both passenger & freight traffic as diesel-electric traction came to dominate. This last class of diesel-hydraulics to remain in service was withdrawn in early 1977 though seven examples of the class survive in preservation. This volume is a wholly new all-colour album celebrating 50 years of the type; the book
Includes:: c 1000 words of introductory text allied toC 85 colour illustrations the vast majority of which are previously unpublished. The book concentrates almost exclusively on the types service on BR but a small number of post-preservation images are also included. The examples that survive in preservation are located in: West somerset railway Severn valley railway East lancs railway National railway museum Birmingham railway museum Midland railway